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THE 


COMMANDMENT 


PROMISE.- 


BY    THE    AUTHOR    OF 
THE    WEEK,"    and    "  THE    GUILTY    TONGUE" 


HONOUR  THY  FATHER  AND  THY  MOTHER,  WHICH  IS  THE  FIRST 

commandment  with  PROMISE."— Ephesians  vi.  2. 


T*Teto*¥orft : 

GENERAL    PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL    SUNDAY    SCHOOL    UNION  ; 

Depository,  Press  Buildings,  No.  46  Lumber-Street, 

in  rear  of  Trinity  Churcn. 

Printed  at  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Press, 
No.  46   Lumber-Street. 


1830. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/commandmentwithpOOchea 


THE 


COMMANDMENT    WITH    PROMISE, 


CHAPTER  I. 

Incidents  at  a  youthful  party. — Ready  obedience  the 
true  mark  of  love  to  parents,  and  the  safest  way 
of  showing  them  our  love. 

A  party  of  young  people  having  been  permitted  to 
spend  the  day  with  me  as  a  sort  of  holiday,  I  thought 
it  best  to  leave  them  to  amuse  themselves,  whilst,  taking 
a  book,  I  sat  in  the  same  room,  to  be  ready  either  to 
promote  their  happiness,  should  they  require  any  help, 
or  to  check  any  purposes  which  might  be  mischievous. 

I  took  a  chair  near  the  window,  and  drawing  a  little 
table  before  me  on  which  to  rest  my  book,  endeavoured 
to  abstract  my  mind  from  their  conversation.  They 
passed  rapidly  from  one  subject  to  another,  each  con- 
tributing their  share  by  relating  the  things  they  had  ei- 
ther learnt  or  seen,  and  being  soon  absorbed  in  the  study 
of  my  own  book,  I  had  become  insensible  to  their 
engagements.  A  sudden  pause  in  the  sound  of  voices 
had  the  effect  of  recalling  my  attention  to  them,  when  I 
observed  the  eldest  girl  exhibiting  to  the  admiring  eyes 
of  her  companions  a  miniature  picture,  which  was  in  a 
red  morocco  case. 

"  See,  cousin  Mary,"  she  said,  "  I  brought  it  on  pur- 
pose to  show  you,  that  you  might  be  convinced  what  I 
told  you  was  true.  Now,  is  not  my  papa  a  handsome 
man  ?" 

1* 


6  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Mary.  If  he  is  like  that  picture,  Anna,  he  must  be 
handsome. 

Anna.  If  he  is  like,  Mary !  Do  you  think  what  I  say 
is  untrue  1 

Mary.  No,  Anna,  I  did  not  mean  to  say  I  thought 
so ;  but  I  have  heard  my  mamma  say,  that  pictures  in 
general  flatter  very  much. 

Anna.  Well  then,  Mary,  I  must  say  this  picture  does 
not  flatter;  for  beautiful  as  these  eyes  and  mouth  are,  they 
are  not  half  so  beautiful  as  his ;  and  when  papa  gave  it 
me,  he  said  he  would  have  it  set  in  pearls  and  put  a  gold 
chain  to  it,  that  so  I  might  wear  it  whenever  I  liked 
round  my  neck  ;  and  I  am  sure  he  looked  so  beautiful 
just  then,  you  would  say  as  I  do,  that  this  picture  is  not 
half  so  beautiful. 

Mary.  I  believe  it,  Anna  ;  for  a  living  face  is  much 
more  beautiful  than  a  painted  one ;  and  I  dare  say  when 
I  see  my  uncle,  I  shall  think  as  you  do. 

This  seemed  to  satisfy  Anna's  ambition  for  the  admi- 
ration of  her  father ;  some  minutes  were  occupied  in 
passing  the  picture  round  the  little  circle  for  their  in- 
spection, and  as  it  was  returned  by  one  of  the  gravest 
of  the  party,  Anna  inquired  of  her — 

"  Have  you  a  picture  of  your  papa,  Isabella?" 

Mary  started  when  the  question  was  proposed,  and 
hastily  placing  herself  between  Anna  and  Isabella,  pre- 
vented a  reply  by  saying,  in  a  particularly  sweet  and 
soothing  tone  of  voice — 

"  Come  with  me,  and  I  will  show  you  my  mamma's 
picture,  which  hangs  in  the  next  room." 

Isabella  gave  her  hand  in  the  instant  to  Mary ;  but  I 
saw  her  bosom  heave  as  if  she  had  suffered  a  momenta. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  7 

ry  agitation,  which  Mary's  prompt  interference  had 
calmed  whilst  it  had  arrested  a  tear  in  her  eye. 

On  this  proposal  of  Mary's,  they  generally  moved,  as 
if  to  accompany  her,  but  one  more  observing  than  the 
others  checked  them  by  a  significant  glance,  and  when 
they  were  withdrawn,  she  said — 

"  Did  you  not  remark  that  Isabella  is  in  deep  mourn- 
ing ;  and  I  believe  her  papa  died  not  long  ago." 

This  cast  a  shade  upon  the  party  for  a  little  while,  but 
Anna,  conscious  of  having  a  superior  possession  to  the 
rest,  resumed  the  subject,  by  putting  the  question — 

"Who,  besides  me,  has  a  picture  of  their  papa?" 

"  I  have  no  picture,"  Maria  said ;  "  but  I  have  a  lock 
of  my  papa's  hair.  See,  here  it  is,  tied. with  a  piece  of 
blue  ribbon ;  and  I  love  it  so,  I  always  wear  it  within  my 
frock  upon  my  heart."  Saying  which,  she  took  it  from 
her  bosom,  opened  it  with  care,  displayed  it  a  moment, 
kissed  it,  and  then  quickly  returned  it  to  its  place. 

At  this  moment  a  poor  girl  from  the  village  came  up 
to  the  house  with  some  fruit  I  had  ordered  for  the  en- 
tertainment of  the  young  people,  and  Mary  with  Isa- 
bella returned  into  the  room,  bringing  the  girl  with  the 
basket  in  her  hand. 

"  I  have  brought  the  fruit  just  as  it  is,"  said  Mary, 
"  for  Jane  has  packed  it  so  nicely,  I  think  it  looks  better 
in  her  basket  than  in  any  way  we  could  dress  it  up." 
She  then  took  the  basket  and  placed  it  en  the  table,  The 
picture  was  laid  down,  whilst  they  all  surveyed  the  bas- 
ket, and  Jane's  attention  was  arrested  by  the  sight  of 
the  picture. 

Anna,  delighted  to  observe  her  favourite  possession 
had  so  unexpectedly  attracted  notice,  addressed  herself 
to  the  girl— 


8  THE    COMMANDMENT    WITH    PROMISE. 

"  Don't  you  think  that  is  a  beautiful  picture  V9 

"  Yes,  Miss,"  the  girl  replied  with  a  curtsey. 

Anna.    It  is  my  papa! 

Jane.    Your  papa,  Miss  ? 

Anna.  Yes ;  would  you  not  like  to  have  such  a  pret- 
ty picture  of  your  father  ? 

Jane.     I  don't  know. 

Anna.  Don't  know  !  to  be  sure  you  would  ;  look 
here,  I  shall  wear  it  just  so,  round  my  neck ;  (at  the 
same  time  holding  it  to  her  breast,  as  if  already  sus- 
pended to  the  promised  chain.) 

The  girl's  interest  seemed  to  have  abated  after  the  first 
gaze  of  curiosity,  which  a  sight  so  new  to  her  had  oc- 
casioned, and  she  was  busy  in  helping  to  put  away  the 
spare  leaves  with  which  she  had  covered  the  fruit. 

A  look  of  disappointment  passed  over  the  countenance 
of  Anna ;  but  she  made  one  more  effort,  saying — 

"  You  know  if  you  had  a  picture  of  your  father,  you 
could  never  forget  him." 

The  girl  was  quick  in  replying,  "  O  Miss,  I  can't  for- 
get my  father." 

Anna.  Why,  child,  do  you  know  what  coloured  eyes 
he  has,  what  sort  of  a  nose  he  has,  what  kind  of  a  mouth 
he  has  ? 

Jane.    I  can't  say,  Miss. 

Anna.  Then,  you  foolish  girl,  would  not  a  picture 
help  you  to  know  and  to  remember  him  ? 

Jane.  Very  likely,  Miss;  but  he  is  so  good  to  me, 
and  I  love  him  so  dearly,  that  I  can't  forget  that. 

Anna  looked  at  her  a  little,  as  did  all  the  others  ;  but 
making  no  more  observations,  the  little  girl,  asking  if 
she  should  call  the  next  day  for  her  basket,  curtseyed 
and  withdrew. 


THE    COMMANDMENT    WITH    PROMISE.  9 

This  little  incident  naturally  awakened  in  my  mind 
some  reflections  on  the  nature  of  filial  love,  and  the  va- 
rious reasons  which  operate  on  the  mind  to  draw  it  into 
real  or  apparent  expressions  of  devoted  attachment.  Nor 
was  it  the  first  moment  this  subject  had  been  presented 
to  my  mind ;  for  it  is  obvious  to  common  observation, 
that  the  gracious  disposition  of  love  and  duty  to  parents 
is  seldom  shown  as  springing  from  true  principle  ;  and 
yet  the  Lord  has  in  mercy  given  a  most  solemn  and  per- 
suasive call  to  this  duty  by  the  obligation  of  the  fifth 
commandment,  which  stands  next  in  order  to  those  du- 
ties we  owe  to  God  himself.  He  has  corroborated  this 
his  will  by  most  express  revelations  in  the  no  less  con- 
straining terms  of  the  Gospel.  I  have  looked  round  the 
whole  circle  of  my  acquaintance,  poor  and  rich,  for  the 
real  demonstration  of  filial  love  and  duty ;  and  often  has 
my  heart  sickened  at  the  too  obvious  evidences  that  it  is 
scarcely  an  existing  principle  in  the  society  of  mankind; 
and  as  its  importance  is  second  only  to  that  of  duty  to 
the  Lord,  I  have  longed  for  the  opportunity  of  repre- 
senting it,  in  some  of  its  true  characters,  to  the  attention 
both  of  parents  and  children.  With  this  influence  on 
my  mind,  I  desired  that  Mary  would  follow  the  little 
fruit-girl,  and  tell  her  to  come  again  the  next  day  with 
another  supply  of  fruit,  when  she  should  have  her  bas- 
ket. 

This  matter  settled,  the  young  people  sat  round  the 
table  to  enjoy  the  treat  which  Mary  had  provided  them; 
and  Tsabella,  who  had  seated  herself  close  to  Mary, 
began  to  ask  some  questions  of  her  concerning  the  little 
girl. 

Mary.  Her  name  is  Jane ;  she  is  a  very  dear  little 
girl,  and  lives  with  her  father,  who  is  a  gardener  ;  her 


10  Till:  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

•mother  is  lame,  and  can  do  very  little  of  active  business, 
therefore  she  takes  in  plain  work ;  she  has  one  sister  and 
two  brothers,  and  they  are  such  a  pretty  family ;  you 
would  like  to  know  them,  I  am  sure. 

"Very  pretty,  are  they?"  inquired  Anna. 

Mary.  If  you  thought  I  meant  pretty  in  the  face,  I 
must  answer,  I  do  not  think  them  any  thing  particular 
ill  beauty ;  but  they  behave  so  prettily,  they  love  each 
other  so  much,  they  are  so  industrious,  and  neat,  and 
clean ;  that  is  what  I  meant  by  pretty ;  and  that  little 
Jane  is  like  a  mother  to  her  brothers  and  sisters. 

Isabella  looked  much  interested,  and  said,  "  As  I  am 
going  to  stay  with  you  to-night,  Mary,  will  you  take  me 
to  see  them  in  the  morning  ?  " 

Alary.  With  pleasure,  Isabella,  and  if  we  rise  an 
hour  sooner,  I  shall  have  time  after  I  have  learned  my 
lessons. 

The  conversation  then  became  very  general,  and  the 
time  being  come  when  the  young  people  were  severally 
to  return  to  their  homes,  the  party  was  quickly  broken 
up. 

They,  however,  left  me  ruminating  on  the  best  prac- 
tical method  I  could  devise  of  laying  before  those  on 
whom  I  might  possess  some  influence,  the  peculiar  duties 
of  the  fifth  commandment ;  and  committing  my  desire 
to  providential  direction,  I  walked  the  next  morning 
across  the  fields  to  the  house  of  my  friend  the  father 
of  Mary. 

He  was  a  man  well  disposed,  and  earnestly  desirous  of 
conducting  his  family  on  the  strictest  principles  of  moral 
duty.  His  wife  was  of  the  same  mind  ;  and  they  had 
the  blessing  of  seeing  their  only  child,  Mary,  walking  in 
the  most  orderly  course  of  regular  attention  to  their  de- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  11 

sires.  They  set  the  example  of  order  and  method  in  all 
they  themselves  did,  and  they  were  happy  in  the  good 
consequences  of  their  example  on  their  whole  house- 
hold. But  there  was  still  a  want  which  I  had  often  de- 
plored, and  had  frequently  endeavoured  to  point  out, 
without  ever  having  had  the  success  to  convince  them 
that  anything  more  could  be  wanted,  than  was  produced 
by  the  constant  observance  of  the  duties  before  them,  in 
their  retired  situation  in  life. 

I  arrived  just  as  the  usual  course  of  the  morning  in- 
structions were  ended,  and  found  Mary,  with  her  young 
guest.  Isabella,  busy  in  putting  away  their  books. 

After  the  little  movement  of  friendly  salutation  was 
over,  I  inquired  of  Mary  if  she  had  been  able  to  fulfil 
her  desire  of  visiting  little  Jane's  family ;  to  which  she 
replied — 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  but  we  were  not  wise  in  the  time  we  chose 
for  our  visit;  they  were  all  so  busily  engaged  that  Isa- 
bella could  not  get  a  sight  of  them  all  together." 

Isabella.  I  saw  Jane  and  her  father  together,  Mary, 
in  the  garden  ;  but  I  was  disappointed ;  they  looked  so 
grave  and  busy,  and  were  talking  so  seriously  all  the 
time.  I  thought  that  if  little  Jane  loved  her  father  so, 
she  would  have  been  hanging  about  him,  and  saying 
tender  things  to  him.  I  never  liked  to  let  my  dear 
papa's  hand  go  j«it  of  mine,  and  he  used  to  pat  my  cheek 
and  look  at  me  so  sweetly  !  but  now,  I  cannot  hold  his 
hand  any " 

A  rising  sob  stopped  the' utterance  of  the  last  word. 

Mary,  who  was  an  affectionate  girl,  was  affected  by 
these  words  of  her  friend,  and  went  up  to  her  to  kiss 
away  her  tears ;  and  her  father  remarked — 

"  You  should  not  give  way  to  such  strong  feelings,  my 


12  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

dear  Isabella ;  remember,  the  test  of  love  is  obedience. 
I  had  rather  Mary  obeyed  all  her  rules,  than  that  she 
should  be  spending  her  time  in  useless  expressions." 

This  remark  put  a  check  upon  the  flow  of  feeling. 
Isabella  turned  away  her  head  to  avoid  further  observa- 
tion, and  Mary,  as  though  called  to  recollection,  return- 
ed to  the  engagement  from  which  I  had  interrupted  her; 
but  a  change  of  complexion,  which  rapidly  passed  over 
her  face,  from  a  sudden  blush  to  a  pale  hue,  indicated 
that  it  was  not  without  a  struggle  that  the  emotion  was 
so  immediately  subdued.  Her  father,  however,  looked 
satisfied;  and  her  mother,  rising  from  her  chair,  said — 

"Now,  my  dear  girls,  if  you  are  not  tired  with  your 
early  walk,  you  may  go  out  with  me  into  the  garden." 

The  proposal  gave  pleasure,  as  an  evident  relief  of 
mind,  and  whilst  they  were  preparing,  I  said  to  my 
friend — 

"  As  you  have  been  confined  some  hours  with  your 
young  pupil,  you  would  most  probably  enjoy  the  air 
yourself,  and  to  me  nothing  is  more  agreeable  than  to 
be  out." 

Father.  I  thank  you,  if  you  really  prefer  it,  as  it  is-" 
my  custom  at  this  time  to  walk,  I  will  avail  myself  of 
your  permission. 

Being  agreed,  we  were  all  together  in  the  garden  at 
once,  and  drawing  most  at  that  time  to  the  company  of 
the  young  people,  I  took  one  in  each  arm,  and  endea- 
voured to  communicate  a  little  cheerfulness  to  them,  by 
setting  off  down  one  of  the  wide  walks  with  a  brisk  step. 

"  O,  stop '."  said  Isabella,  "  let  us  stop  here ;  I  am  out 
of  breath  !  O,  what  a  delightful  smell  here  is  !  What 
does  it  come  from?  O,  I  see,  that  beautiful  woodbine 
which  is  running  up  that  lilac  tree." 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  13 

Our  attention  being  directed  to  this  object  of  admira- 
tion. I  took  an  advantage  from  it,  saying — 

"  Observe  it  well,  Isabella ;  how  it  twines,  about  the 
brauch  that  supports  it." 

Isabella.     I  do  :  I  always  admire  the  woodbine. 

Au.    What  is  it  like  ? 

Isabella.  Ah  !  it  is  like  me  and  my  papa ;  (dropping 
her  voice  as  she  made  the  comparison,  seeing  Mary's 
parents  drawing  near.) 

Au.  Isabella,  it  is  worth  your  minute  inspection ; 
trace- its  windings  from  the  root  upwards. 

She  began  to  do  so.  "  It  is  difficult,"  she  said,  "  it  is 
so  intermixed  with  the  branches  of  the  lilac  ;"  and  put- 
ting  her  hand  to  it,  she  continued,  "  I  actually  cannot 
distinguish  it  here  from  the  lilac.  Oh,"  she  exclaimed,  in 
an  extasy  of  sentimental  feeling,  "  how  like  to  me  and 
my  dear  papa  !  they  are  like  one  !" 

Au.     Do  not  stop  there,  Isabella ;  observe  further. 

Isabella.  Oh,  it  now  begins  to  be  less  luxuriant ;  here 
are  a  few  fine  young  twining  branches  without  support, 
but  the  head  of  the  piant  is  thick,  and  short,  and  bushy. 

Au.  You  perhaps  do  not  see  the  reason.  Observe, 
there  is,  above  this  strongly  united  part,  an  evident  de- 
cay of  both  the  lilac  and  the  woodbine.  They  have 
twined  lovingly  together,  but  the  end  will  be  the  de- 
struction of  one  or  both.  Now  remark,  there  is  no  sen- 
timent or  true  love  in  this  strict  union.  The  woodbine 
seeks  that  which  is  naturally  needful  for  its  own  support, 
whilst  its  shoots  are  young  and  lender ;  but  then  they 
strengthen  and  thicken,  and  whilst  increasing,  it  occu- 
pies the  room  necessary  for  the  growth  of  the  branch 
on  which  it  hangs  itself,  till  they  each  penetrate  into  the 
other,  and  mutual  decay  ensues. 
2 


14  THE    COMMANDMENT    WITH    PROMISE. 

Isabella.    Then  it  is  no  longer  like  papa  and  me  ! 

Au.  Isabella,  what  must  be  done  to  save  the  life  of 
these  trees  ? 

Isabella.    Untwine  them. 

Au.    You  cannot,  now — they  are  one. 

Isabella.    It  should  have  been  done  sooner. 

Au.  It  should  ;  and  had  the  gardener  been  attentive, 
he  would  not  have  suffered  it  to  have  remained  so  long 
undone.  By  untwisting  the  shoots  occasionally,  and 
disengaging  them  when  they  are  too  close,  they  will 
strengthen  of  themselves,  and  yet  remain  in  the  kindly 
shelter  and  support  of  the  stronger  tree,  without  injury 
to  either ;  and  by  pruning  away  some  superabundant 
shoots,  the  health  and  luxuriance  of  both  will  be  pre- 
served. 

Isabella.  But  that  does  not  now  apply  to  me  ;  (she 
said,  sighing ;)  my  papa  is  taken  away,  but  my  heart 
will  always  be  entwined  about  his  memory. 

Au.  Isabella,  learn  a  lesson.  Such  love  is  idolatry, 
and  the  thing  so  loved  is  the  idol.  Your  Heavenly  Fa- 
ther, perhaps,  designed  to  save  you  both  by  taking  away 
one ;  perhaps  you  were  each  to  the  other  an  idol,  and 
then  were  you  both  idolaters,  and  then  would  you  each 
have  been  the  destroyers  of  the  other,  and  of  yourselves. 
My  dear  girl,  listen  as  to  a  lesson  from  God,  with  rever- 
ence and  silence.  What  must  be  now  done  for  the 
woodbine?  We  must  cut  down  the  branch  of  the  lilac, 
below  the  cause  of  the  mutual  disease. 

Isabella.  Oh,  do  not  give  me  such  a  pain  at  my 
heart ! 

Au.  Not  wantonly,  Isabella.  There  is  this  comfort; 
Whilst  the  woodbine  is  preserved  by  this  stroke,  the  li- 
lac has  a  life  in  the  root,  which  will  make  it  spring  up 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE  15 

again.  Look,  my  dear  Isabella,  to  that  blessed  hope, 
that  if  your  dear  papa  was  taken  away  from  the  evil 
to  come,  and  sleeps  in  Jesus,  he  shall  rise  again  to  eter- 
nal life. 

She  fixed  her  eye  steadfastly  upon  me,  and  I  pro- 
ceeded— "  You  have  yet  a  mother — see  once  more  the 
woodbine;  it  grows  between  two  lilacs;  it  has  inclined 
all  its  shoots  to  one,  and  the  other  stands  desolate,  with- 
out the  ornament  of  the  beautiful  fragrant  flowers  which 
decorate  the  other." 

She  coloured  deep,  and  her  hand  trembled. 

Au.  My  dear  child,  now  turn  to  your  hitherto  for- 
gotten mother,  and  be  willing  to  let  the  great  Gardener 
lead  your  young  shoots  that  way,  and  direct  them  to 
your  mutual  comfort  and  support;  be  willing  that  He 
should  untwine  you  when  you  tend  to  idolatrous  love ; 
and  teach  you  carefully  to  watch  your  tender  mother's 
happiness,  who  never  refused  your  endearments. 

Our  whole  party  had  become  intensely  interested, 
and  there  was  a  silence  of  some  minutes.  At  length  my 
friend  said — 

"  /  can  also  teach  a  lesson  from  the  garden.  See, 
here  is  a  plant  which  is  always  inclining  to  grow  crook- 
ed, and  spoils  the  order  of  the  shrubs.  I  put  beside  it 
this  strong  stake,  which  I  call  Order;  and  I  tie  it  up 
straight  to  it  with  these  bands,  which  I  call  Discipline; 
and  the  plant  will  then  lean  neither  to  one  side  or  the 
other." 

This  comparison  did  not  exactly  suit  the  tone  of  feel- 
ing which  had  been  excited.  The  lesson  was  good,  but 
from  being  so  abrupt  and  ill-timed,  failed  to  call  forth  a 
pleasing  sympathy.  A  smile  passed  over  the  faces  of  the 
young  people,  but  it  was  not  from  the  heart,  and  faded 


16  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

away  into  the  softer  expression  of  intelligent  conviction 
which  had  before  animated  them  with  deepest  interest. 

As  I  found  by  the  hold  which  Isabella  and  Mary  again 
involuntarily  took  of  my  arm,  that  I  had  gained  some 
little  interest  in  their  feelings,  I  drew  them  on  a  little 
further,  continuing  the  strain  of  conversation  on  the 
right-placing  and  direction  of  the  heart's  affections,  with 
the  necessity  we  all  have  to  watch  both  the  spring  and 
motive  from  which  they  act,  and  then  took  leave. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Constant  obedience;   an  example  of  it.— Different 
motives  for  obedience. 

As  I  returned  homewards  I  endeavoured  to  form  some 
plans,  which  by  the  most  easy  and  unaffected  incidents 
might  lead  on  to  the  illustration  of  the  duties  of  children 
to  parents ;  and  to  this  important  object  determined  to 
devote  myself  for  some  time,  trusting  to  be  led  into  such 
scenes  and  circumstances  as  might  aid  my  purpose.  And 
as  in  all  these  things  I  find  the  poorer  classes  afford  me 
more  immediate  opportunities,  both  from  the  easy  access 
we  can  gain  to  their  domestic  scenes,  and  from  the  dis- 
guises of  natural  character  being  less  systematic,  I  turn- 
ed my  thoughts  to  trace  out  a  few  families  in  my  neigh- 
bourhood, among  whom  I  expected  to  find  the  full  de- 
velopment of  my  object.  The  reflection  to  which  I  Was 
led  on  these  indelible  words  of  the  enduring  command- 
ment of  God,  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that 
thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  17 

God  giveth  thee."  made  me  feel  as  though  they  were 
"  written  on  the  palms  of  my  hands,"  and  I  felt  my 
heart  commenting  upon  them  in  the  words  of  the  Apos- 
tle, Eph.  vi.  1 — 3.,  "  Children,  obey  your  parents  in 
the  Lord  :  for  this  is  right.  Honour  thy  father  and 
mother;  whieh  is  the  first  commandment  with  promise ; 
that  it  may  be  well  with  thee,  and  thou  mayest  live  long 
on  the  earth."  My  mind  was  thus  fully  occupied  until 
the  arrival  of  little  Jane,  according  to  appointment,  was 
announced.  I  desired  that  she  might  bring  in  the  fruit 
herself,  and  that  the  other  basket  might  be  ready  for  her. 

She  came  in,  and  looked  surprised  at  not  finding  the 
same  party  of  young  people  for  whom  she  had  brought 
the  frurt  the  evening  before. 

Au.  Come  here,  Jane;  tell  me  when  you  gathered 
this  fruit  ? 

Jane.    Very  early  this  morning,  Sir. 

Au.     Oh !  you  should  have  brought  it  quite  fresh. 

Jane.  If  you  please,  Sir,  my  father  ordered  me  to 
gather  it  before  the  dew  was  off,  because  the  fruit  is  al- 
ways better  for  being  gathered  before  the  sun  is  on  it. 
Look,  if  you  please,  Sir,  (she  said,  turning  aside  some  of 
the  leaves,)  the  bloom  is  on  it  now. 

Au.    Was  your  father  with  you  when  you  gathered  it? 

Jane.  No,  Sir,  he  told  me  what  to  do  last  night ;  he 
had  to  go  out  very  early  this  morning  before  the  time, 
and  when  he  came  back  it  would  have  been  too  late. 

Au.    Then  you  did  not  forget  your  father's  desires? 

Jane.    No,  Sir. 

Au.     Why? 

Jane.    I  don't  know,  Sir — because  I  remembered  it. 

Au.  Would  he  have  been  angry  if  you  had  forgot- 
ten it  ? 

2*      ■ 


18  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  TROMISE. 

Jane.    He  wouldn't  have  been  pleased,  Sir. 

Au.    Why  would  he  not? 

She  seemed  surprised  at  my  question,  but  after  a  pause 
said,  "  He  expects  us  to  do  what  he  orders,  when  he's 
away  as  well  as  when  he's  at  home." 

Au.  Would  you  have  been  displeased  with  yourself 
if  you  had  forgotten  ? 

Jane.    Yes,  Sir,  I  should  have  been  very  sorrowful. 

Au.     Why  would  you  ? 

Jane.  Because  my  father  would  have  been  so  sor- 
rowful. 

Au.  Because  the  fruit  would  not  have  been  so  nice 
for  his  customers  ? 

Jane.    Yes,  Sir,  but  not  all  for  that. 

Au.     For  what  besides  ? 

Jane.  Because  he  thinks  we  do  not  love  God  when 
we  do  not  do  as  father  bids  us,  and  then  he  says,  we  can- 
not love  him. 

The  empty  basket  was  now  brought  in,  and  the  ser- 
vant said,  "  If  you  please,  Sir,  this  case  was  thrown  in 
the  basket  amongst  the  dead  leaves." 

It  was  Anna's  morocco  case,  and  on  opening  it  I  found 
the  picture  within. 

Au.    You  saw  this  picture  yesterday,  Jane  ? 

Jane.    Yes,  Sir. 

Au.  That  young  lady  has  forgotten  it ;  what  will 
she  do  now  to  remember  her  father  ? 

Jane.  She  can  remember  her  father  without  it,  Sir. 
If  you  please,  may  I  take  my  baskets,  Sir '? 

Au.     Are  you  in  a  hurry,  Jane  ? 

Jane.  Yes,  Sir,  if  yoii  please  to  excuse  me,  my  mo- 
ther wants  me  back  as  soon  as  I  can. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  19 

I  immediately  took  out  the  fruit,  and  giving  her  back 
her  basket,  said,  "  Make  haste,  then,  my  little  girl." 

She  dropped  a  curtsey  as  she  said,  "  Yes,  Sir,  thank 
you,  Sir;"  and  I  saw  her  from  my  window  running 
homewards,  looking  neither  to  the  right  hand  nor  the 
left;  and  I  could  not  help  saying,  "Certainly,  Mary  is 
right  in  calling  this  little  girl  a  dear  little  girl." 

The  morocco  case  seemed  to  point  out  an  opportuni- 
ty, and  as  there  was  still  time,  I  put  it  in  my  pocket,  in- 
tending to  take  it  to  its  owner,  and  on  my  way  called 
on  Maria  to  accompany  me  in  my  visit ;  her  parents 
cheerfully  granted  her  to  my  care,  and  we  proceeded. 

We  found  Anna  deeply  engaged  with  her  mother  in 
examining  a  box  of  curious  things,  which  seemed  to  be 
a  new  possession,  and  she  called  us  to  the  table  to  exa- 
mine them  with  her.  As  she  unwrapt  the  several  arti- 
cles, she  said — 

"  Papa  was  disappointed  thathe  could  not  reach  home 
so  soon*  as  he  expected,  and  he  has  sent  me  all  these 
things  to  please  me  till  he  does  come ;  see,  Maria,  what 
pretty  things  they  are!"  She  ran  on  for  some  time  in 
terms  of  admiration ;  but  she  was  evidently  looking  for 
some  other  thing,  which  did  not  meet  her  eye ;  at  last, 
in  a  pouting  disappointment,  she  struck  the  side  of  the 
box  with  her  finger,  saying — 

"  Provoking  papa  !  he  has  not  kept  his  word  !" 

Maria  was  engaged  in  examining  some  shells,  and  ap- 
pealed at  that  moment  to  Anna — "  This  is  a  very  beau- 
tiful shell ;  do  you  know  its  name?" 

"  O,  never  mind  the  shell,"  she  answered ;  "  I  have 
no  pleasure  at  all  now  in  any  thing ;  it  was  very  pro- 
voking of  papa  to  forget  what  he  promised !" 

"  Perhaps  he  will  bring  it  with  him,"  Maria  answered. 


20  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Anna.    I  shall  not  care  about  it  then. 

Maria.    No,  you  will  have  your  papa  himself. 

Anna  threw  herself  down  in  her  chair ;  "  O,  I  don't 
care  for  any  thing  now  !" 

Maria.    No,  but  you  will  then,  Anna. 

Anna.  No,  I  shan't ;  I  dare  say  he  has  forgotten  it 
altogether. 

Maria  looked  somewhat  shocked,  and,  as  if  to  recal 
good  feelings,  she  said,  "  Oh  !  you  had  better  look  again 
at  your  beautiful  picture,  and  when  you  see  those  eyes, 
and  that  mouth  that  smiled  so  sweetly,  you  will  think  of 
nothing  but  your  dear  papa !" 

Anna  rather  started — "  My  picture  !  O  that's  true,  my 
picture  !  what  have  I  done  with  it?" 

"  You  have  it  in  your  breast,  most  likely,"  said  Maria. 

Anna.  My  breast !  no.  What  have  I  done  with  it  ? 
It  will  be  very  ridiculous  if  I  get  the  chain  and  have  lost 
the  picture ;  what  can  I  have  done  with  it  ?  "  She  empti- 
ed her  work-box,  turned  over  her  writing-desk — all  in 
vain.  "What  can  I  have  done  with  it?  I  will  go  and 
look  in  my  drawers ;"  and  she  went  out  in  great  haste. 

"Poor  Anna!"  exclaimed  Maria,  "what  will  she  do 
if  she  has  lost  her  papa's  picture  ?  I  wish  I  could  help 
her  to  find  it ;"  and  addressing  herself  to  Mrs.  Aston, 
said,  "  Would  you  give  me  leave  to  follow  Anna,  to  help 
her  to  search?" 

Airs.  A.    Certainly,  My  love ;  you  know  the  way. 

Mrs.  Aston  and  I  were  now  left  alone.  She  had  a 
countenance  of  painful  anxiety,  and  sighing,  said  to  me, 

"  Anna  is  a  very  good  child  on  the  whole,  but  there 
is  a  disposition  in  her  I  cunnot  correct.  We  can  never 
obtain  her  obedience  to  our  desires  for  her  instruction, 
but  by  some  artifice  in  the  way  of  a  bribe ;  promise  to 


l 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  21 

give  her  anything-,  and  she  will  then  do  anything-;  and 
having  now  found  our  anxiety  by  our  indulgence,  she 
fails  not  to  make  her  advantage  of  it.  That  picture  she 
seems  to  have  lost,  was  given  to  bribe  her  to  apply  her 
mind  to  overcome  a  difficulty  she  met  with  in  arithme- 
tic ;  no  persuasion  could  prevail  to  make  her  try  to  work 
out  a  sum  in  long-  division,  until  she  extorted  the  pro- 
mise •  and  the  gold  chain  was  to  be  given  in  order  to  in- 
duce her  to  learn  a  piece  of  music  of  which  her  father 
is  extremely  fond,  1  begin  to  think  our  system  is  a  bad 
one ;  and  as  she  has  not  perfected  herself  in  the  music, 
I  requested  her  father  not  to  send  the  chain ;  he  has 
complied  with  this,  but  you  perceive  he  has  endeavour- 
ed to  soften  the  disappointment  by  a  profusion  of  other 
presents  ;  and  i  do  think,  if  the  truth  were  known,  that 
he  did  not  like  to  return  without  the  chain,  and  encoun- 
ter the  refractory  behaviour  of  his  own  child."  The 
tears  flowed  from  her  eyes  as  she  spoke,  and  a  bitter 
sigh  expressed  the  feelings  of  her  heart  at  the  thought 
of  her  child's  disobedience. 

At  this  moment  the  two  girls  returned. 

Anna.    I  can't  find  it  anywhere,  mamma. 

Mrs.  A.    I  am  sorry  for  it. 

Annd.    What  shall  I  do? 

Mrs.  A.  Perhaps,  if  you  wait  a  little  patiently,  you 
may  remember  where  you  last  had  it. 

Anna.    Do  you  think  papa  will  bring  the  chain? 

Mrs.  A.    I  do  not  know. 

Anna.  How  vexatious !  Well,  never  mind,  (she  con- 
tinued—with an  air  that  expressed  her  determination  to 
shake  off  the  disagreeable  recollection,)  when  papa 
sees  me  so  very  sorry,  he  will  buy  me  something  else  to 


22  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH   PROMISE. 

hang  upon  it ;  perhaps  a  garnet  cross ;  Amelia  had  a 
beautiful  garnet  cross."        / 

"  Oh,"  said  Maria,  "  that  would  not  be  papa's  picture ! 
The  chain  would  be  good  for  nothing  without  the  pic- 
ture of  your  papa ;  if  you  do  not  find  the  picture  you 
will  not  want  the  chain." 

Anna.  I  do  not  know  that,  Maria ;  a  gold  chain  is  a 
pretty  thing  of  itself,  and  you  know  it  is  always  ready 
for  anything. 

Maria.  Anna !  for  anything !  Well,  I  had  rather 
have  this  lock  of  my  papa's  hair,  wrapt  up  in  this  bit 
of  paper,  taking  it  out  of  her  breast,  and  kissing,  and 
then  returning  it,  than  I  would  have  anything  on  a  gold 
chain. 

Anna  was  silent,  and  looked  rather  ashamed. 

I  thought  it  a  good  opportunity  to  prolong  the  pre- 
sent interview,  by  proposing  to  Mrs.  Aston  to  accompa- 
ny me  and  Maria  as  far  as  her  home ;  adding,  "  I  think 
it  will  help  to  dissipate  the  melancholy  Anna  feels  from 
the  loss  of  her  papa's  picture." 

Anna  felt  that  I  had  a  meaning  not  favourable,  but 
was  glad  to  put  it  off  by  readiness  to  be  of  the  party  ; 
and  Mrs.  Aston  seemed  to  meet  the  proposal  as  an  alle- 
viation of  the  oppression  which  weighed  upon  her  own 
mind. 

The  evening  was  fine  and  the  breeze  refreshing,  after 
a  hot  day,  and  we  were  soon  at  Mrs.  Bennet's,  who  was 
strolling  in  the  grounds,  waiting  for  the  return  of  her 
daughter,  and  we  all  sat  down  on  a  rural  seat  that  was 
near. 

The  young  people  did  not  seem  desirous  to  leave  us, 
for  they  had  somehow  lost  the  feeling  of  congeniality  ; 
and  Anna  had  evidently  not  risen  in  the  estimation  of 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  23 

Maria,  of  whose  character  wishing  to  ascertain  some 
proof,  I  ventured  to  ask  her  a  few  questions. 

Au.  Do  you  know,  Maria,  that  many  people  may  be 
doing  the  same  thing,  and  yet  all  have  very  different 
motives  for  doing  it  1 

Maria.    I  do  not  exactly  understand  you. 

Au.  For  instance,  suppose  men  were  digging  differ- 
ent parts  of  that  piece  of  ground,  they  would  be  all  do- 
ing the  same  thing  ? 

Maria.  Yes. 
.  Au.  But  suppose  one  was  doing  it  for  hire,  at  a 
dollar  a  day,  to  be  paid  for  his  work ;  another  was  doing 
it  for  the  profit  of  the  crop  that  should  be  produced  ; 
another  was  doing  it  to  destroy  the  weeds ;  another  to 
ameliorate  the  soil ;  another  merely  out  of  love  for  the 
owner;  and  another  simply  because  it  was  the  right  and 
usual  way  of  managing  the  ground  : — these  are  different 
motives :  but  which  motive  do  you  like  the  best  ? 

Maria.    Oh !  for  love,  to  be  sure. 

Au.  When  you  learn  your  lesson,  and  do  the  thing 
your  mamma  bids  you  do,  what  is  your  motive  ? 

Maria.  Oh !  love,  to  be  sure,  all  for  love !  (saying 
which,  she  sprang  to  her  mamma  and  embraced  her  in 
a  kind  of  rapture,  which  met  the  return  of  her  mother's 
embrace,  and  a  kiss  on  her  forehead.) 

Anna  looked  at  her  with  surprise. 

"  Why  did  you  ask  me  that  question  ?"  Maria  said  ; 
keeping  her  station  by  her  mamma's  side. 

Au.  I  will  tell  you  openly.  Because  I  have  been  re- 
flecting lately  on  the  duties  of  children  to  parents,  which 
duties  I  am  enabled  to  inquire  into  on  the  foundation  of 
the  fifth  commandment,  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy 
mother,"  and  in  the  light  which  is  thrown  upon  it  by 


24  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

other  Scriptures,  especially  by  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by 
the  Apostle  Paul  in  Ephesians  vi.  1—3. 

Maria  seemed  to  have  her  heart  unlocked  by  this  liber- 
ty to  disclose  her  motives  ;  and  she  said,  "  I  know  the 
fifth  commandment  is  very  good,  because  it  is  God  s 
commandment;  but  I  always  think  (forgive  me  if  I  say 
wrong)  that  '  honour'  sounds  so  cold." 

Au  Perhaps,  my  dear,  if  you  understood  it,  you 
would  not  find  it  so  cold  ;  and  Anna  may  perhaps  think 
it  sounds  unprofitable,  but  if  she  understood  it,  it  would 
be  found  to  convey  some  hope  of  gain;  for  (turning  to 
Anna  )  it  is  a  commandment  with  promise— ■"  it  shall 
go  well  with  thee ;"  and  another  little  girl  I  know  would 
be  satisfied,  because  it  is  written,  "  Honour  thy  father  and 
thy  mother,  for  this  is  right." 

«  I  should  like,  then,  to  understand  that  command- 
ment," Maria  answered;  "  I  did  not  know  it  contained 

so  much." 

Au  I  make  a  proposal,  then,  to  you  and  your  pa- 
rents to  meet  once  a  week  at  my  house,  for  the  purpose 
of  coming  to  an  understanding  of  the  fifth  command- 
ment; and  if  the  Lord  givesus  his  grace  and  blessing 
I  think  you  will  all  love  to  "honour  your  father  and 
mother  •"  and  your  father  and  mother  will  love  the  com- 
mandment which  maketh  wise  the  simple,  and  correcteth 
the  heart : — will  you  consent  ? 

All  but  Anna  said,  "  Oh !  yes,  gladly !" 
Au.    Consent  also,  Anna ;  it  will  agree,  you  will  find, 
with  ornaments  and  chains. 

"Very  well,"  she  coldly  replied.  And  as  it  was  evi- 
dent that  some  conviction  had  entered  her  mmd  I  drew 
the  morocco  case  out  of  my  pocket ;  her  eye  glistened 

i 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  25 

at  the  unexpected  sight,  but  mortified  feeling  taught  her 
to  disguise  her  pleasure. 

Au.  Take  it,  Anna ;  this  reward  for  a  sum  of  long 
division  will  do  to  hang  on  a  chain  when  it  is  earned  by 
the  lesson  of  music,  until  you  have  done  something  else 
to  earn  a  garnet  cross,  which  will  sparkle  more  brilliant- 
ly than  the  eyes  of  this  picture. 

She  dropped  her  head  in  confusion;  whilst  Maria 
gazed  at  her  with  intense  earnestness,  and  Mrs.  Aston 
whispered,  "  O,  friend,  spare  her!" 

"  My  dear  Mrs.  Aston,"  I  replied,  « it  is  a  moment 
worth  more  than  a  world :  follow  it  up ;  from  this  time 
cease  to  offer  bribes  to  your  child,  and  wait  until  she 
will  find  the  delight  of  duty  to  be  its  own  reward.  You 
arc  all  wrong.  Human,  selfish,  idolatrous  motives  rule ; 
and  no  love  of  God  in  Christ  is  set  before  your  chil- 
dren as  the  spring,  and  motive,  and  end  of  love  and  obe- 
dience." 

Mrs.  A.  Ah !  my  dear  friend,  I  begin  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  my  error,  and  thankful  shall  I  be  to  see  my 
child  well  directed,  and  to  be  myself  instructed. 

Mrs.  Bennet  said,  "  I  really  do  not  know  what  to 
think ;  for  my  own  part,  I  have  always  thought  love  the 
best  principle  to  inculcate ;  I  have  found  it  answer  my 
purpose  so  far,  and  can  desire  nothing  better  than  the 
effect  produced." 

Au.  Love  is  the  best  principle ;  so  far  you  are  right; 
but  on  what  that  love  is  to  be  supremely  fixed,  and 
whence  derived,  would  take  us  further,  my  dear  Mrs. 
Bennet,  than  you  are  perhaps  prepared  to  go. 

Mrs.  B.    I  do  not  understand  you. 

Au.    You  would  understand  when  you  had  to  expe- 
rience that  you  must,  in  important  circumstances,  per- 
3 


26  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

haps,  have  to  give  place1— to  be  second  only,  in  your 
child's  estimation — provided  an  imperious  claim  were 
put  upon  her  by  a  superior  affection. 

Mrs.  B.  You  speak  in  a  kind  of  mystery ;  perhaps 
I  may  comprehend  you  better  after  a  few  of  our  weekly 
meetings.  At  present,  I  confess,  my  aim  and  my  ambi- 
tion are,  that  my  husband  and  myself  may  be  the  first 
and  principal  objects  of  regard  in  the  hearts  of  my  be- 
loved children ;  for  this  end  we  devote  ourselves  to 
them,  and  adapt  ourselves  in  every  possible  way  to  be 
their  friends,  companions,  and  even  playfellows.  They 
are  satisfied  with  us  alone,  and  never  appear  to  have 
been  so  happy  anywhere  as  with  us,  always  returning 
from  any  little  visit,  to  their  parents  and  their  home  as 
to  their  joy. 


CHAPTER    III. 

The  origin  and  causes  of  disobedience  in  children. 

I  now  found  myself  launched  on  an  important  duty, 
through  which  I  felt  it  would  require  the  aid  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  guide  me  with  discretion,  integrity,  affection, 
and  success.  The  extensive  power  and  influence  of  the 
holy  will  of  God  in  the  relative  duties  of  parent  and 
child,  filled  me  with  contemplation;  and,  in  imagination, 
I  had  run  through  generation  after  generation  under  its 
influence,  until  I  had  pictured  before  me  a  world  full  of 
inhabitants  with  whom  it  was  "  going  well."  In  the 
midst  of  this  reverie  I  was  interrupted  by  a  voice  of  vo- 
ciferous anger,  and  the  scream  of  terror  which  burst 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  27 

from  a  little  boy  who  was,  it  appeared,  endeavouring  to 
run  away  from  his  father. 

"  I  will,  I  will !"  he  exclaimed,  and  the  man  was  an- 
swering him,  as  he  struck  him  some  sharp  strokes  over 
the  shoulders  with  a  rope. 

"I'll  teach  you,  you  young  rascal,  whether  I'll  be 
obeyed  or  not." 

They  were  soon  out  of  sight,  entering  their  cottage 
door,  and  closing  it  instantly.  Thus  I  was  brought  back 
from  imagination  to  painful  reality,  and  was  again  ex- 
ercised in  reflecting  on  the  origin  and  causes  of  the  pre- 
valence of  disobedience  amongst  children. 

By  the  time  I  reached  my  own  home  I  was  impress- 
ed with  the  Scripture,  "Thou  that  teachest  another, 
teachest  thou  not  thyself?"  It  awakened  a  review  of 
the  past,  from  my  earliest  recollections ;  and  in  tracing 
the  impressions  of  my  own  mind,  the  windings  of  my 
ways,  the  consequences  and  effects,  I  had  many  a  pang 
of  self-conviction,  and  many  an  illustration  of  the  na- 
tural heart,  and,  blessed  be  God,  many  a  token  of  the 
benefit  of  an  early  training  to  the  love  of  my  parents  in 
the  love  of  the  Lord. 

These  retrospections  are  often  among  the  most  valua- 
ble operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  working  within,  and 
disclosing  to  us,  from  past  experiences,  the  mysteries  of 
sin,  and  the  unwearied  faithfulness  of  God.  I  was  thank- 
ful for  this  counsel  within  my  own  heart,  and  felt  both 
more  earnest  and  more  humble  in  the  calling  before  me. 
I  felt,  too,  that  my  way  was  opening,  and  I  had  now  to 
bring  in  the  other  friends  with  whom  we  were  intimate- 
ly associated,  to  make  our  object  as  generally  useful  as 
possible.  I  thought  it  best  to  call  upon  them,  and  open- 
ly to  explain  my  intention,  for  I  desired  a  voluntary  at- 


28  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

tendance,  wishing  that,  at  the  same  time  that  I  present- 
ed it  in  an  engaging  manner  to  win  their  consent,  it 
should  also  be  in  such  a  way  as  to  convey  its  serious  im- 
portance. I  expected  to  find  difficulties,  but  would  not 
on  that  account  be  deterred. 

My  first  call  was  on  Mary's  parents,  and  when  I  pre- 
sented my  plan,  her  mother  (Mrs.  Conway)  smiled,  and 
said — 

"  You  have  imposed  upon  yourself  an  extraordinary 
task,  I  fear,  and  not  perhaps  likely  to  produce  the  end 
desired  ;  for  unless  people  will  confirm  precept  by  prac- 
tice, little  can  be  expected." 

"True,"  I  replied,  "  but  in  cases  where  the  precept  is 
unknown,  we  are  sure  the  practice  can  never  be  founded 
on  it." 

Mr.  Conway  then  said,  "  My  dear  friend,  I  do  not  feel 
myself  in  any  need  of  such  instruction ;  I  have  what  I 
want,  the  perfect  obedience  of  my  child.  If  at  any  time 
she  is  tempted  to  express  any  reluctance,  a  look  from  me 
is  sufficient  to  establish  my  authority.  She  knows  I 
never  waver ;  once  having  said,  '  Do,'  she  knows  very 
well  it  must  be  done ;  and  I  have  been  the  more  parti- 
cular on  this  subject,  because  she  is  our  only  child,  and 
I  determined  she  should  never  have  to  blame  her  parents, 
as  too  many  only  children  have." 

Mary  was  present,  and  listened  with  great  attention. 
The  thing  I  most  feared  was,  that  her  father  should  once 
refuse  compliance,  as  I  knew  it  would  then  be  fruitless 
to  endeavour  to  induce  him  to  retract. 

"  At  all  events,"  I  said,  "  you  will  allow  the  purpose 
to  be  good,  and  being  undertaken  with  a  desire  of  good, 
we  may  hope  for  a  blessing.  There  are  not  many  who 
know  the  just  use  of  discipline,  and  fewer  still  who 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  29 

know  the  power  of  the  Word  of  God.  You  would,  per- 
haps, at  least  be  interested  in  seeing  the  effects  we  may- 
expect  on  different  characters ;  and  if  no  success  were 
to  be  granted,  we  should  have  this  comfort,  '  It  was  well 
that  it  was  in  thy  heart.'  " 

The  riea  of  being  a  spectator  for  others,  rather  than 
a  hearer  for  himself,  was  a  more  persuasive  plea ;  and 
Mary,  seeing  her  father's  countenance  relax,  and  his 
strong  eyebrows  rise,  ventured  to  come  close  to  me,  and 
said — 

"  I  should  like  to  be  one  of  the  party,  papa,  with  my 
companions." 

Mr.  Conway.  Well,  well,  we  will  agree,  and  provided 
I  find  nothing  happen  tending  to  weaken  my  authority, 
we  will  be  regular  in  our  attendance. 

"  Very  well,"  I  answered,  "  I  wish  for  no  more.  Now, 
may  Mary  accompany  me  to  Isabella's  mamma,  and  we 
will  ask  the  same  of  her." 

This  request  being  granted,  we  went  out,  and  on  our 
way,  Mary  asked, 

"  What  do  you  mean  to  do ;  are  we  to  say  our  Cate- 
chism ? " 

Au.  The  Catechism  may  be  found  useful  to  us  ;  but 
we  will  draw  our  instructions  from  the  fountain  of  wis- 
dom—the Word  of  God— and  I  trust  you  will  find  it 
pleasant  and  improving. 

Mary.  Is  it  to  teach  us  to  obey  our  parents,  that  you 
mean  ? 

Au.   vYes,  and  to  honour  them,  and  to  love  them. 

Mary.    1  think  I  do  obey. 

Au.  I  am  glad  to  see  so  much  obedience ;  but  why 
do  you  obey  ? 

Mary.    Oh !  because  I  dare  not  do  otherwise.    In- 
3* 


30  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

deed,  I  cannot,  for  my  papa  and  mamma  would  soon 
oblige  me  to  do  it.  I  know  it  is  for  my  good,  though 
sometimes  I  feel  it  painful ;  but  you  know  I  ought  to 
obey;  and  once  when  I  was  crying  in  my  room,  about 
something  I  did  not  like  to -do,  mamma's  maid  Hannah 
came  so  kindly  to  me,  and  showed  me  a  ver&3  in  the 
Bible,  "  Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for 
this  is  right;"  I  have  never  forgotten  it,  and  then  I  was 
happier,  and  never  cried  any  more  about  that  thing. 

Au.  Then  if  all  your  obedience  were  put  upon  that 
ground,  you  would  find  but  little  occasion  to  cry  for  any 
thing  that  it  was  your  duty  to  do. 

We  were  now  at  Mrs.  Dennis'  door,  and  Isabella,  who 
had  seen  our  approach,  flew  down  stairs  to  receive  us ; 
she  took  my  hand,  saying — 

"  How  glad  I  am  that  you  are  come :  mamma  and 
brother  William  are  up  stairs.     Come  in." 

Mrs.  Dennis  was  listening  to  the  conversation  of  Wil- 
liam as  we  entered.  She  rose  to  receive  us  with  an  at- 
tempt to  smile  a  welcome,  but  the  sorrow  of  her  heart 
refused  to  enable  her.  The  extreme  sensibility  of  her 
feelings  was  expressed  in  her  pale  countenance,  and  her 
languid  eyes,  which  were  suffused  with  tears  that  could 
not  flow.  In  her  widow's  garments,  and  her  two  chil- 
dren with  her,  she  at  once  formed  an  object  peculiarly 
interesting,  as  respected  especially  the  right  training  of 
her  darling  treasures,  the  constant  mementos  of  the  fa- 
ther they  had  lost.  I  felt  some  difficulty  in  intruding 
upon  her  my  design,  but  Isabella's  interest  and  her  own 
happiness  were  so  intimately  involved  in  it,  that  I  took 
courage  to  make  the  proposal. 

She  paused  a  few  moments  for  reflection,  and  at 
length  said — 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  31 

"  For  my  personal  attendance  I  must  beg  to  be  ex- 
cused ;  I  have  neither  spirits  nor  health  at  present ;  and 
for  my  children,  I  do  not  know  what  to  say.  I  certainly 
should  not  like  any  new  ideas  to  be  presented  to  them 
that  would  weaken  their  attachment  to  me." 

Au.  I  should  hope  you  have  nothing  to  fear  on  that 
head,  but  rather  perhaps  to  hope  for  an  increase  of  filial 
love  and  duty. 

She  sighed  deeply,  and  answered,  "  It  was  my  first 
ambition  to  fix  their  chief  love  on  their  now  departed 
father.  It  used  to  give  him  pleasure  when  they  express- 
ed that  their  strongest  love  was  for  him.  When  their 
friends  used  to  ask  them  which  they  loved  best,  papa  or 
mamma,  I  delighted  in  teaching  them  to  answer,  'Papa, 
to  be  sure  .'  And  since  he  is  gone,  I  love  to  hear  them 
bemoan  his  loss  in  accents  of  complaint;  but  I  must 
confess,  I  now  chiefly  desire  to  draw  their  love  over  to 
myself;  they  make  now  my  only  solace.  Still  I  fear  I 
have  myself  weaned  them  from  me  too  much,  so  that  I 
shall  scarcely  possess  the  fervour  of  their  affection." 

"  Mamma,  dear  mamma  ! "  said  Isabella ;  "  he  taught 
me  a  lesson  yesterday  that  makes  me  love  you  more 
than  I  ever  did."  And  she  was  going  to  throw  her  arms 
on  her  mother's  neck,  when  a  conscious  recollection  of 
the  entwining  woodbine  stopped  the  impulse. 

I  was  much  affected ;  and  going  to  her,  raised  her 
arm,  and  laid  it  over  the  shoulder  on  which  she  longed 
to  lean. 

This  action  gave  unexpected  confidence  to  her  mo- 
ther, and  she  said — 

"I  think,  then,  I  must  not  refuse  the  request;  and,  at 
least  for  a  wrhile,  I  will  permit  them  to  attend;  beg- 


32  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

ging  you  not  to  consider  me  pledged  to  an  unrestricted 
grant." 

The  manner  in  which  my  request  was  granted  did 
not  affect  me ;  gaining  the  concession  at  the  first,  I  took 
it  as  an  earnest  that  I  should  be  allowed  to  prevail  fur 
the  future.  Isabella  thanked  her  mamma,  and  said, 
"  I  am  very  glad  William  is  to  be  one  of  the  party." 

There  was  still  another  family  in  the  neighbourhood 
which  I  was  anxious  to  gain ;  but  their  life  was  so  com- 
pletely spent  in  the  gaieties  of  this  world,  that  I  feared 
obtaining  any  influence  there  would  be  difficult,  as  my 
known  habits  of  enforcing  Bible  consistency  upon  every 
one  called  Christian,  had  excited  the  repugnance  so  con- 
stantly exhibited  by  the  lovers  of  pleasure  towards  the 
disciples  of  the  cross.  I  was  sorely  tempted  not  to  make 
a  trial,  but  the  word,  "  Whatsoever  ye  ask  in  my  name 
/  will  give  it  you,"  directed  me  first  to  apply  by  suppli- 
cation to  Him  who  gave  the  promise,  and  then  to  deter- 
mine upon  making  my  request  at  once,  in  that  name,  to 
the  parents  of  the  children  so  greatly  needing  to  be  in- 
structed in  the  will  and  way  of  the  Lord. 

Having  returned  Mary  safely  to  her  parents,  I  pro- 
ceeded, and  found  a  ready  admittance.  I  was  ushered 
into  a  room  where  was  already  assembled  a  party  ot 
young  people,  who,  by  an  extraordinary  imitation  of  the 
manners  of  their  seniors  were  engaged  with  all  the  for- 
mality of  a  grown-up  party  of  the  world.  Refreshments 
of  cake,  and  fruit,  and  wine,  were  handing  round,  and  I 
was  pressed  to  partake  with  them. 

"  With  pleasure,"  I  replied,  as  I  accepted  the  offer ; 
"  and  what  will  you  say  to  me,  if  I  make  a  request  that 
you  may  be  allowed  to  join  a  little  weekly  party  at  my 
house  ? " 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  36 

"At  your  house!"  exclaimed  a  boy  about  fourteen 
years  old ;  "that  is  something  new;  you  have  never 
before  made  a  party  for  us.' 

Au.  If  the  circumstance  is  new,  I  must  not  conceal 
that  the  object  also  is  new.  It  is  simply  this,  to  invite 
young  people,  denominated  Christians  from  their  bap- 
tism, to  meet  together  for  Christian  conversation  and 
instruction. 

There  was  a  general  gaze  from  all  the  young  people, 
and  the  smile  of  pleasure  gradually  changed  into  an  ex- 
pression of  disappointment. 

Mrs.  Evans,  the  lady  of  the  house,  said,  "  Oh  !  I  un- 
derstand you  ;  you  have  a  longing  desire  to  increase  the 
number  of  Methodists ;  but  the  proposal  from  you  on 
any  motive  is  so  unexpected,  that  for  the  novelty's  sake 
I  am  inclined  to  give  my  permission,  if  the  young  peo- 
ple think  it  will  be  any  pleasure  to  them." 

Silence  from  them  indicated,  that  they  would  rather 
have  been  helped  to  an  apology. 

Au.  I  I  will  not  press  my  suit :  I  have  freely  made  my 
request,  and  freely  say  it  is  for  Christ's  sake ;  and  those 
among  you,  my  dear  young  friends,  who  think  they  love 
that  name,  will,  I  doubt  not,  afford  me  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  them. 

There  were  not  many  faces  that  were  not  immediate- 
ly overspread  with  a  conscious  blush ;  though  there  was 
a  little  variety  in  their  different  countenances,  expressive 
of  different  kinds  and  degrees  of  feeling. 

Turning  to  Mrs.  Evans,  I  said,  "  I  have  no  more  to 
add,  my  dear  madam,  at  present;  I  have  explained  the 
object  of  my  call,  and  will  not  obtrude  any  longer ;"  and 
taking  leave,  I  returned  homewards. 

Comforted  by  the  success  so  far  obtained,  I  ruminated 


34  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

much,  on  my  way,  and  longed  extremely  to  blend  with 
my  party  some  of  my  brethren  of  low  degree,  but,  on 
reflection,  I  thought  it  best  to  commence  in  the  way  of  a 
distinct  class,  until  1  had  won  a  little  on  my  friends  to 
understand  the  importance  of  the  command,  in  its  influ- 
ence on  all  ranks  of  men;  for  it  is  to  man  that  God  has 
adapted  his  holy  laws.  He  is  no  respecter  of  persons ; 
he  has  brought  all  into  an  equality  in  his  sight,  first,  by 
showing  the  whole  world  to  be  guilty  before  him,  and 
then,  in  the  adoption  by  Christ  into  the  family  of  God. 
He  has  thus  spoken  to  them  who  are  in  him :  "  Let  the 
brother  of  low  degree  rejoice  in  that  he  is  exalted,  and 
the  rich  in  that  he  is  made  low."    James  1.  9, 10. 

I  expected  a  visit  from  my  sister,  and  hoped  she  would 
be  in  time  to  make  one  of  the  party  at  its  commence- 
ment. She  was  one  who  had  endeavoured  to  irame  her 
conduct  towards  her  family  upon  the  counsels  of  the 
Word  of  God,  and  with  the  view  to  his  holy  command  ; 
and  though  of  modest  and  retired  habits,  I  hoped  to  in- 
duce her  to  take  some  part  in  my  plan.  Her  young  fa- 
mily was  an  interesting  specimen  of  the  blessing  of  this 
plan  of  education,  and  manifested  the  power  of  early 
religious  instruction  on  the  conduct  of  those  children 
who  are  trained  up  in  the  way  they  should  go ;  though 
their  dispositions  were  various.  I  was  therefore  truly 
happy  to  find  that  she  had  arrived  during  my  absence. 
Her  sweet  children  were  watching  my  return,  from  the 
window,  and  were  soon  clinging  around  me,  seeking  my 
caresses  and  expressing  their  own  pleasure.  My  sister, 
though  not  so  rapid  in  her  movements,  was  shortly  one 
with  us,  and  the  children  gave  way  by  a  general  impulse 
until  their  mother  had  received  my  welcome ;  and  whilst 
the  youngest  boy  took  my  hand,  the  daughter  attached 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE  35 

The  next  morning  I  had  the  early  assistance  of  mv 
young  relatives  in  making  preparations  Z  7fc  Y 

of  our  expected   ^  ^S^SS^ 

Dartv'Th.  f '     What  Sha11  r  d0  »>  so  large  a 

nv  Tor  w  f    ^.ta'  acc»«°™ed  to  such  a  cola 
,  ny,  for  we  live  so  retired,  that  I  really  shall  „„,  7 
i  how  to  behave."  y  not  know 

"You  will  naturally  behave  as  you  ought  to  do  m„ 

I  ness  of  others."  Promote  tne  happi- 

AwfeA    Yes,  mamma,  I  am  aware  of  that  •  h„# 

whom  I  shall  be  mixed  th°Se  Wlth 


36  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

difficult  If  you  unaffectedly  desire  to  be  no  more  than 
you  are,  you  will  be  devoid  of  a  care  which  would  en- 
snare you.  Seek  not  to  please  others  by  conformity  to 
them:  first  ascertain  to  whom  they  are  conformed,  and 
be  you  conformed  to  the  one  pattern  set  before  us  in  the 
Word  of  God. 

Louisa.  True,  mamma,  I  know  the  advice  is  good, 
and  though  I  still  feel  a  fear  of  difficulty,  I  will  en- 
deavour to  bear  it  in  mind,  and  will  try  to  put  it  in 

practice. 

7V/rs. .  As  your  uncle's  niece,  you  will  be  ex- 
pected to  show  attention  to  all  the  party.  Be,  therefore, 
courteous,  be  kind,  as  the  Apostle  exhorts ;  but  be  steady 
and  consistent  to  the  principles  you  have  imbibed;  re- 
member to  whose  service  you  are  dedicated. 

Louisa  received  the  advice  with  attentive  observation, 
and  it  was  evident  that  she  was  a  girl  who  was  accus- 
tomed to  hear  the  instructions  of  her  father,  and  to  for- 
sake not  the  law  of  her  mother.  The  lesson  did  not  ap- 
pear to  impose  any  restraint  upon  her  ;  she  received  it 
as  the  word  of  wisdom  and  of  love,  in  which  she  per- 
fectly agreed  ;  though  she  felt  the  natural  workings  of 
the  heart;  and  perceiving  that  her  mother  had  conclu- 
ded her  remarks,  she  looked  at  her  with  a  smile  of  affec- 
tionate confidence,  without  continuing  the  subject.       ' 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  37 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Incidents  at  the  first  evening's  meeting.— Author's 
views  of  the  scope  and  application  of  the  Com- 
mandments; and  of  the  duty  of  very  early  attention 
to  forming  religious  character  of  children. 

My  party  was  now  fast  forming,  and  my  sister  agree- 
ing to  receive  the  young  people,  I  was  the  more  at  liber- 
ty to  attend  to  the  seniors,  all  of  whom  assembled ;  and 
Mrs.  Evans  introduced  her  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gra- 
ham, saying,  "  I  have  taken  this  liberty,  as  my  friends 
arrived  unexpectedly.  Having  named  to  them  the  no- 
velty of  the  engagement  this  evening,  they  declared  they 
would  not  detain  me  at  home,  but  would  much  like  to 
be  admitted  here;  and  besides,  it  will  answer  your  pur- 
pose, as  they  have  a  fine  family  of  children." 

My  welcome  was  sincere  to  all,  and  I  offered  coffee 
early,  that  we  might  have  a  more  uninterrupted  evening. 
Mrs.  Evans  seemed  full  of  curiosity,  and  addressing  a 
lady  near  her,  said — 

"  I  feel  a  little  as  if  I  had  come  to  school  •  I  declare  I 
have  a  kind  of  fear  that  the  papas  and  mammas  are  to  be 
lectured  as  well  as  the  boys  and  girls." 

"  I  should  not  be  sorry  were  it  so,"  she  replied,  "  for  I 
really  feel  my  own  deficiencies." 

"  Oh  !  but  really,  I  hope  at  least,"  she  said,  laughing, 
J?  we  shall  not  be  catechised  ;  absolutely,  I  do  not  know 
whether  I  could  repeat  one  of  the  commandments  cor- 
rectly ;  and  as  to  understanding  them,  you  know,  that 
belongs  to  people  of  a  certain  turn  of  mind,  who  see 
4 


38  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

in  them  so  much  spirituality,  as  they  call  it,  that  they 
make  the  whole  a  mystery." 

"  May  I,"  I  said,  "  be  permitted  to  remark  upon  your 
observation?" 

Mrs.  Evans.  O  yes,  (shrugging  her  shoulders,)  cer- 
tainly. 

Au.  I  do  first  assure  you,  my  dear  madam,  I  intend 
not  to  catechise ;  but  you  observed  something  which  im- 
plied a  difficulty  in  understanding  the  Commandments ; 
I  really  think,  did  you  reflect  upon  them  without  prejudice 
against  the  spiritual  meaning,  you  would  find  them  very 
'  intelligible  to  plain  common  sense :  every  one  of  them 
is  expressed  in  the  simplest  language;  the  reason  of  the 
difficulties  which  appear  to  some  so  very  great,  is  to  be 
found  in  the  ignorance  of  the  natural  mind  of  its  own 
state :  therefore  it  is  that  the  prohibitions  appear  hard  or 
useless,  and  the  positive  injunctions  either  easy  or  indif- 
ferent. For  instance,  we  will  take  the  fifth  command- 
ment, as  it  is  on  that  subject  we  are  particularly  inter- 
ested at  present.  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother, 
that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord 
thy  God  giveth  thee."  Here  is  a  simple  command  that 
children  should  show  a  dutiful  and  respectful  deference 
to  their  parents.  What  can  be  more  simple  ?  its  literal 
sense  is  easily  comprehended ;  how  many  hundred  times 
have  we  all  repeated  or  heard  it,  and  never  questioned 
the  plain  meaning,  but  we  have  for  the  most  part  heard  it 
in  vain.  We  esteemed  it,  perhaps,  easy  and  indifferent, 
and  so  we  never  made  an  endeavour  to  give  an  example  of 
it,  by  framing  our  conduct  after  its  rule.  Then  there  is  a 
promise  attached,  which  is  seldom  attended  to,  of  long 
life  in  the  land  given  by  the  Lord  our  God.  Why  do 
we  not  attend  to  it  ?  We  naturally  love  long  life ;  are  na- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  39 

turally  desirous  to  dwell  long  in  our  land }  but  we  for- 
get the  Author  and  Preserver  of  life,  and  live  as  though 
our  days  were  our  own;  and  the  land  which  the  Lord 
giveth,  we  esteem  not  as  peculiar ;  or  if  we  do,  as  only 
peculiar  to  the  Jews,  and  then  reason  that  the  promise 
belongs  not  to  the  Gentiles.  There  is  a  strange  pro- 
pensity in  human  nature,  to  retain  the  command,  and 
cut  off  the  promise  ;  but  if  by  faith  we  are  engrafted 
into  the  true  Israel's  stock,  we  partake  of  their  privileges 
both  of  law  and  promise,  I  mention  this,  only  to  show 
that  the  literal  and  obvious  meaning  are  perfectly  com- 
prehensible to  our  minds,  but  the  objection  against  them 
is  their  constraining  authority. 

u  Whatever  objections  to  their  authority  we  may  our- 
selves have  felt,"  said  Mr.  Conway,  "  I  think  we  should 
all  like  our  children  at  least  to  be  sensible  of  it,  and  to 
reap  the  advantage  in  their  obedience." 

Au.  Doubtless,  for  without  obedience  where  is  the 
authority ;  and  without  authority  and  obedience,  where 
is  the  happiness  of  a  family  ?  or  where  is  the  hope  of 
the  promise  ?  It  should  be  a  very  affecting  consideration 
to  parents  who  desire  the  blessing  and  happiness  of  their 
children,  that,  if  they  are  running  a  course  of  disobedi- 
ence and  disrespect,  they  not  only  transgress  the  com- 
mandment, but  forfeit  the  application  of  the  promise. 

Mr.  Conway.  I  confess  I  have  considered  the  neces- 
sity of  obedience  singly,  as  right  and  proper,  without 
attaching  any  importance  to  the  promise :  I  see  it  is  an 
error. 

Au.  A  great  one  :  for  enforced  authority,  merely  on 
human  motives,  for  present  expediency,  is  a  selfish  act- 
ing ;  consulting,  perhaps,  chiefly  our  own  present  com- 
fort, and  mere  worldly  morality. 


40       THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Mr.  Conway.  I  should  like  to  have  a  little  explana- 
tion of  that  idea. 

Au.  I  think  we  ought  well  to  consider  all  the  respon- 
sibilities belonging  to  a  parent,  to  open  out  to  his  child 
all  the  revelation  of  God,  concerning  their  nature  and 
the  end  proposed  by  their  birth  into  this  world ;  to  lead 
them  on  to  a  preparation  for  an  eternal  existence  in  an- 
other world  ;  to  show  them  their  sinful  nature ;  to  point 
out  to  them  the  redeeming  blood  of  Jesus  ;  to  declare 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  and  thus  manifest  the 
love  of  the  Father  ;  to  teach  them,  that  while  all  things 
here  are  temporal,  yet  that  they  have  essential  and  im- 
portant duties  belonging  to  them ;  and  that,  on  earth, 
we  are  to  be  as  pilgrims,  seeking  for  a  better  country. 

Mr.  Conway.  You  are  proposing  instructions  only 
calculated  for  mature  and  reflecting  minds,  and  which 
would  be  very  difficult  to  give,  in  their  juvenile  days. 

Au.  I  beg  pardon,  they  are  just  as  simple  as  the  com- 
mandment ;  we  need  not  shackle  ourselves,  and  rob  our 
children,  by  ideas  of  our  own  invention,  which  they  can- 
not understand:  adapt  your  language,  if  you  please,  to 
the  capacity  of  your  child  ;  but,  I  believe,  you  will  al- 
ways find  the  plain  scripture  words  the  easiest  to  be  un- 
derstood. By  early  teaching  them  to  look  to  God  in 
Jesus,  you  perform  one  great  parental  duty,  which  is 
that  of  loosing  them  from  this  world,  and  fixing  their 
attention  at  least  on  that  which  is  to  come. 

Mr.  Conway.  But  what  has  this  to  do  with  obedi- 
ence? 

Au.  Much ;  for  you  give  them  the  highest  object  for 
obedience,  so  constraining  where  it  is  duly  impressed, 
that  the  commands  from  you  which  they  would  be  in- 
clined to  resist,  are  enforced  upon  their  consciences  by 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  41 

the  scripture  admonition  of  the  Lord,  "  Children,  obey 
your  parents  in  the  Lord  ;"  and  that  they  are  led  to 
bend  unto,  and  implicitly  obey  as  right; 

Mr.  Conway.  It  appears  to  me,  that  you  put  the  au- 
thority of  the  parent  too  much  in  the  back  ground. 

Au.  I  put  it  second  to  that  of  God  ;  and  whatever 
parent  will  desire  to  be  the  supreme  authority  to  his 
child,  will  find,  to  his  discomfort,  that  he  will  be  beneath 
every  rising  passion  of  the  child.  If  a  parent  makes 
self  supreme,  there  is  at  once  a  rivalry  between  him  and 
the  child,  each  taking  the  same  god,  self;  the  conten- 
tion is  endless  and  hopeless ;  and  then,  when  forced  to 
try,  as  another  method,  and  merely  as  secondary,  the 
authority  of  God,  the  child  looks  upon  it  as  a  scheme, 
adopted  for  a  present  purpose,  and  as  a  sure  indication 
that  it  has  gained  a  point.  Be,  therefore,  yourselves 
subject  to  the  authority  of  God,  refer  your  children  con- 
stantly to  the  same,  and  you  preserve  an  eternal,  un- 
changeable principle  and  motive,  established  and  settled 
in  the  Lord. 

Here  Mrs.  Aston  asked,  "How  early  would  you  begin 
this  system  with  your  children  ?  " 

Au.  Before  I  reply  to  this  inquiry,  I  would  ask  one 
question :— How  early  do  you  begin  to  train  your  chil- 
dren for  the  station  you  expect  them  to  fill  in  the  world? 

Mrs.  Aston.  I  can  scarcely  say,  because  we  do  not 
always,  perhaps,  make  up  our  minds  what  they  shall  be, 
at  the  same  period. 

Au.  A  thought  has  often  been  presented  to  my  mind, 
by  the  evident  delight  a  parent  takes  in  observing  the 
different  traits  of  character  in  his  child.  A  father,  for 
instance,  has,  perhaps,  a  predilection  for  some  particu- 
lar profession  for  his  boy ;  he  has  interest  in  some  way 
4* 


42  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

which  he  hopes  to  realize :  then,  if  his  son  is  designed 
for  the  sea,  or  the  army,  with  what  pleasure  he  notices 
his  inclination  to  climb,  calls  him  a  "sailor,"  a  "jolly- 
tar,"  &c. ;  how  he  promotes  his  inclinations  by  buying 
him  toys  suited  to  inspire  correspondent  feelings;  he 
gives  him  guns  and  cannons,  a  red  coat ;  commends  a 
military  air ;  talks  of  marching,  sailing,  fighting.  If  for 
sedentary  professions,  how  he  urges  his  plodding  over 
his  book.  If  for  trade,  how  he  inculcates  the  necessity 
of  all  the  rules  of  calculation  and  money-getting.  Then 
see  a  mother :  if  her  daughter  is  designed  to  move  in  a 
genteel  sphere,  how  carefully  she  supplies  her  with  one 
or  two  nurses  or  attendants ;  how  attentive  to  her  dress ; 
how  watchful  for  lady-like  manners,  for  polished  accent 
of  speech ;  she  desires  she  should  be  a  rich,  a  great  lady, 
and  studies  to  adorn  her  with  every  accomplishment, 
repressing  all  inclinations  derogatory  to  her  fancied  dig- 
nity ;  and  labours  to  inculcate  ideas  suited  to  the  station 
she  expects  her  to  fill.    This  is  true — is  it  not  ? 

"  O  yes,  quite  true,  certainly,"  proceeded  from  every 
mouth. 

Au.  If  I  ask  how  early  this  begins,  you,  perhaps,  can 
answer  me.  I  believe  it  will  be  generally  acknowledged 
to  be  from  the  cradle,  and,  I  would  add,  before  they  are 
cradled,  before  they  breathe  the  air  of  the  world  into 
which  they  are  about  to  enter.  I  think  it,  though  a 
pleasing  sight,  yet  an  affecting  one,  when  I  see  a  mother 
making  her  preparations  for  her  expected  offspring. 
With  what  extreme  interest  she  prepares  all  its  little 
habiliments  ;  how  she  delights  to  ornament  them  by  eve- 
ry execution  of  the  needle ;  how  she  contemplates  them ; 
how  she  imagines  them  filled  with  the  little  body;  pic- 
tures its  head  in  the  little  cap,  and  its  arms  in  the  little 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  43 

sleeves ;  till  she  almost  realizes  its  presence,  and  in  the 
fondest  feelings  anticipates  its  life. 

"All  this,  you  know,"  said  Mrs.  Bennet,  "is  quite  na- 
tural, and  as  it  ought  to  be." 

Au.  Quite  natural ;  and  so  much  as  it  ought  to  be, 
that  the  animals  will  not  yield  the  superiority  to  you  in 
this  respect,  God  himself  having  endowed  them  with 
the  same  instinctive  fondness  for  their  progeny,  and  the 
same  careful  desire  to  provide  for  them.  The  dens  of 
the  beasts— the  nests  of  the  birds — their  labour  and  self- 
denial  for  their  provision,  all  display  the  wonderful  wis- 
dom of  God,  and  are  a  lively  specimen  of,  perhaps,  the 
purest  natural  affection :  but,  let  it  be  remembered,  these 
fulfil  the  whole  of  their  duty ;  they  are  creatures  with 
nothing  but  natural  life;  for  man's  transgressions  they 
are  become  subject  to  death,  and  in  consequence  perish; 
they  have  no  other  duty  than  to  protect  and  bring  up 
their  young,  until  they  are  able  to  care  for  themselves. 
That  this  is  the  whole  of  their  duty,  is  shown  by  the 
wisdom  of  God  having  ordained  that  thenceforward  they 
are  loosed  from  any  sense  of  natural  ties ;  the  parents' 
care  ceaseth,  and  the  dependance  of  their  offspring  also 
ceaseth,  knowing  each  other  no  longer  in  this  connec- 
tion of  nature. 

Mrs,  Aston.  What  do  you  mean  to  convey  to  us  by 
this  reference  to  the  animal  creation  1 

Au.  That  however  you  may  please  yourself  with  the 
notion  of  superior  love  to  your  children  by  this  expres- 
sion and  display  of  care,  you  cannot  boast  of  more  than 
what  the  inferior  creatures  evince;  and  if  we  put  you  in 
comparison,  you  fall  greatly  short,  for  they  perform 
their  whole  duty ;  but  if  you  go  no  further  than  this, 
you  leave  the  principal  part  of  your's  undone. 


44  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Mrs.  Aston.    What  is  that  principal  part  1 

Au.  I  wish  parents  would  reflect  upon  the  nature  of 
their  offspring — that  their  component  parts  are  body, 
soul,  and  spirit— that  the  body  is  mortal  for  sin,  and  that 
the  soul  is  immortal  from  the  breath  of  God— that  the 
body,  therefore,  should  be  subject,  to  the  interests  of  the 
soul,  for,  by  the  deeds  of  the  body,  shall  it  be  judged. 
Therefore,  the  first  and  principal  part  of  your  duty  is, 
to  promote  the  safety  of  the  soul,  and  to  endeavour  to 
make  provision  for  that  as  the  grand  object  and  end  of 
all  your  solicitude.  The  final  well-being  of  the  body  is 
dependent  on  the  well-being  of  the  soul ;  and  let  parents 
who  boast  their  love,  remember  how  fatally  they  will 
fail  to  prove  it,  if  they  neglect  this  pre-eminent  evidence 
of  having  taught  them  whom  to  fear,  even  Him  who 
hath  power  to  cast  both  body  and  soul  into  hell. 

Mrs.  Evans,  who  seemed  exceedingly  uneasy  at  this 
turn  in  the  conversation,  rather  abruptly  broke  the 
thread,  by  saying,  "  I  think  we  have  wandered  from  the 
subject,  which,  if  I  mistake  not,  was  the  obedience  of 
children,  and  not  the  duty  of  parents." 

Au.  My  dear  madam,  it  is  with  the  distinct  view  of 
the  original  subject  that  I  have  thus  diverged  a  little  into 
the  duty  of  parents,  in  order  to  show  how  intimately 
they  are  connected,  and  what  a  preparation  may  be  made 
by  the  parent  towards  the  great  object  of  the  fifth  com- 
mandment of  God  :  and  I  believe  we  may  learn  much 
from  considering  one  peculiarity  in  the  commandment, 
which  is,  that  whilst  there  is  one  commandment  espe- 
cially directed  to  children,  there  is  not  one  specifically 
named  as  belonging  to  parents.  We  should,  therefore, 
remember,  that  to  each  it  is  binding.  The  age  has  no- 
thing to  do  with  it.    It  belongs  to  all,  of  whatever  age 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  45 

or  station,  to  honour  their  father  and  mother;  and  the 
preceding  commandments,  directing  our  individual 
duty  to  God,  if  attended  to  by  the  seniors,  will  be  the 
best  security  for  their  being  blessed  to  their  children. 
"  1  am  a  jealous  God,"  saith  the  Lord,  "  visiting  the 
sin  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children  unto  the  third 
and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me,  and  show- 
ing mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me  and 
keep  My  Commandments."  A  lively  interest  in  God 
in  your  own  bosoms,  would  lead  you  to  fear  his  wrath 
on  your  children,  and  to  covet  his  mercy  for  them.  I 
would  be  understood  to  contend  for  this  one  thing,  that 
the  parent's  care  for  his  children  should  begin  in  devo- 
tion to  God,  and  surely  I  should  ask  no  unreasonable 
thing,  that  it  should  begin  as  early  at  least  as  the  pre- 
paration for  the  comfort  of  their  bodies. 

Mrs.  Aston.    But  how  is  this  to  be  done  ? 

Au.  By  dedication  of  yourself  to  God.  By  bending 
the  suppliant  knee  at  the  throne  of  grace,  imploring  for 
the  child  about  to  be  born  into  this  wicked  world,  a  pre- 
paration of  grace.  By  beseeching  the  Lord  to  take  it 
into  his  gracious  charge,  to  instruct  you  in  wisdom  and 
holiness,  to  train  up  the  child  in  the  way  it  should  go. 
To  aspire  to  its  being  an  heir  of  heaven,  and  imploring 
the  riches  of  Christ  to  prepare  and  adorn  it  in  a  readi- 
ness for  the  glorious  privilege,  coveting  nothing  earthly, 
but  earnestly  wrestling  for  heavenly  blessings.  Making 
the  everlasting  salvation  of  your  children  your  intense 
desire,  and  proving  it  to  be  so  by  the  care,  example, 
education,  and  direction  of  them,  when  born  and  given 
into  your  arms.  Whilst  hanging  on  ihe  breast,  let  them, 
as  it  were,  draw  in  the  internal  sigh  of  your  bosom  for 
pardoning  mercy  and  sanctifying  grace;  and  provide 


46  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

for  them,  as  they  grow  in  years,  whatever  instruction 
or  holy  helps  may  tend  to  fix  their  minds  on  the  high 
destination  of  the  children  of  God  ;  enriching  their  souls 
with  the  word  of  God,  and  teaching  them  to  pray  for 
the  enlightening  grace  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"  Really,  my  dear  sir,"  Mrs.  Evans  again  interrupted, 
"  you  appal  me  by  your  language,  but  yet,  I  confess, 
you  interest  me  ;  only  it  is  anything  but  amusement." 

Au.  If  it  be  profitable,  we  can  lay  by  amusement,  for 
a  little,  without  much  loss. 

Mrs.  Aston.  I  should  like  to  know  if  any  mother  has 
ever  done  thus  ? 

Au.  I  have  the  unspeakable  pleasure  of  knowing 
some  who  have ;  few,  indeed  ;  but  I  have  wratched  the 
case  for  many  years,  and  know  its  blessed  results ;  but 
we  can  turn  immediately  to  some  scripture  examples. 
If  you  read  the  history  of  the  promise  of  a  son  to  Ma- 
noah  and  his  wife,  Judges  xiii.,  you  will  find  an  ex- 
ceedingly interesting  illustration  of  the  subject;  one  to 
which  I  would  always  wish  to  direct  the  attention  of 
every  parent.  With  the  promise  there  was  given  a  di- 
rection from  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  how  Manoah's  wife 
should  conduct  herself:  "Now,  therefore,  beware,  I  pray 
thee,  that  thou  drink  not  wine  nor  strong  drink,  and  cat 
not  any  unclean  thing."  This  enjoined,  through  typical 
observances,  the  watchful  circumspection  of  the  mother, 
and  renunciation  of  all  sin,  and  that  particularly  not  only 
on  her  own  account,  but  on  account  of  the  son  she 
should  bear.  The  child's  destination,  too,  was  declared 
to  be  that  of  a  Nazarite  from  the  womb,  that  is,  devoted 
to  God.  When  she  relates  the  circumstance  to  her  hus- 
band, in  the  7th  verse,  she  marks  that  she  was  duly  im- 
pressed with  her  duty  to  obey  the  injunction  j  neither 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  47 

does  she  forget  to  relate  the  destination  of  the  child. 
Then  Manoah  entreated  the  Lord,  and  said,  "  O  my 
God,  let  the  man  of  God,  whom  thou  didst  send,  come 
again  unto  us,  and  teach  us  what  we  shall  do  unto  the 
child  that  shall  be  born."  And  again,  in  the  12th  verse, 
"  How  shall  we  order  the  child,  and  how  shall  we  do 
unto  him?''''  which  draws  again  the  duties  of  the  mother 
forth,  with  this  solemn  conclusion :  "  All  that  I  com- 
manded her,  let  her  observe."  And  in  the  24th  verse 
we  are  told,  the  child  grew,  and  the  Lord  blessed  him. 
In  the  first  chapter  of  Samuel,  we  read  of  Hannah's 
conduct ;  her  earnest  desire  for  a  child  was  presented  to 
the  Lord,  in  his  place  of  worship ;  she  said  to  Eli,  "  I 
have  poured  out  my  soul  before  the  Lord  ;"  and  Eli 
said,  "  Go  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  Israel  grant  thee  thy 
petition  that  thou  hast  asked  of  him."  And  when  she 
bore  a  son,  she  called  him  Samuel,  "because  I  have 
asked  him  of  the  Lord."  And  she  bore  in  mind  her 
promise  to  give  him  up  unto  the  Lord  all  the  days  of 
his  life :  and  when  she  had  weaned  him,  she  said,  "  I 
will  bring  him  that  he  may  appear  before  the  Lord, 
and  there  abide  for  ever."  And  she  took  him  up  to 
the  Lord  with  her  offerings,  and  said,  "  For  this  child  I 
prayed,  and  the  Lord  hath  given  me  my  petition  which 
I  asked  of  him,  therefore,  also,  I  have  lent  Mm  to  the 
Lord  :  as  long  as  he  liveth  he  shall  be  lent  unto  the 
Lord:  and  he  worshipped  the  Lord  there."  There  are 
some  other  instances  in  scripture,  from  which  we  learn 
the  same;  as  in  the  case  of  Jeremiah ;  in  that  of  Eliza- 
beth, the  mother  of  John  the  Baptist ;  and,  above  all,  of 
the  Virgin  Mary ;  their  retreat  being,  doubtless,  that  of 
devotional  preparation  of  soul  for  the  great  maternal 
privileges  to  which  they  were  appointed. 


48  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Mrs.  Aston.  But,  you  must  confess,  these  were  all 
very  particular  cases,  where  the  offspring  were  evidently 
appointed  of  God  to  peculiar  offices. 

Au.  That  is  very  true.  But  why  should  not  every 
mother  seek  to  be  highly  honoured  in  being  the  blessed 
instrument  of  bringing  a  child  of  God  into  the  world, 
and  of  receiving  into  her  own  bosom  the  hope  of  it,  by 
earnest  prayer  to  the  Lord,  who  giveth  liberally  and 
upbraideth  not ;  and  why  should  they  not  continually 
say,  "  Lord,  teach  us  what  we  shall  do  to  this  child  V 
li How  shall  we  order  the  child?" 

Mrs.  Aston.  Then,  it  seems,  you  would  make  the 
child's  obedience  dependent  on  the  parent's  devotion. 

Au.  Not  dependent ;  there  is  no  dependence  but  in 
God,  for  this  pious  disposition ;  but  it  (as  a  means)  must 
be  greatly  facilitated  by  a  proper  direction  of  the  mind, 
and  reference  to  God  ;  and  it  is  an  arduous  thing  for  a 
child  to  learn  to  honour  those  in  whom  he  sees  not  the 
principle  calculated  to  inspire  him  with  respect  and 
honour.  If  you  would  have  your  children  honour  and 
obey  you,  you  should  seek  to  exhibit  before  them  that 
which  is  honourable,  and  to  lay  upon  them  those  com- 
mands which  are  agreeable  to  the  mind  and  will  of  God. 
There  is  a  promise  to  parents  who  so  act :  "  Train  up  a 
child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he 
will  not  depart  from  it."  Nevertheless,  the  duty  of  the 
child  is  imperious  ;  he  is  to  honour  and  obey  in  the 
Lord,  as  father  and  ?nother,  for  there  is  sufficient  claim 
in  all  to  this  duty,  on  the  ground  of  the  natural  right 
they  possess,  and  the  natural  protection  they  extend. 

"  I  am  glad,"  said  Mrs.  Conway,  "  you  have  come  to 
this  conclusion,  as  it  brings  out  the  practical  part  of  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  49 

duty,  and  engages  me  more  to  look  into  the  other  argu- 
ments you  have  used." 

Au.  I  too  am  glad  that  you  feel  so  engaged ;  but  let 
us  all  recollect  the  faith  and  grace  it  requires  to  apply 
the  precept,  in  hope  of  the  promise,  to  a  practical  effect 
on  our  own  hearts.  But  we  are  forgetting  the  flight  of 
time  ;  we  must  not  neglect  our  engagement  to  the 
young  people  in  the  other  room. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Author's  conversation  with  his  little  party  about  obey- 
ing" as  a  proof  of  love  to  Jesus  ; — about  the  Law 
and  the  Gospel ; — and  the  meaning  of  "  honouring 
our  father  and  mother." 

When  we  entered  the  room,  we  found  a  fine  assem- 
bly of  children  of  different  ages,  from  about  six  to  fif- 
teen years.  They  had  just  finished  their  refreshments, 
and  were  beginning  to  arrange  themselves  according  to 
their  own  fancy,  choosing  their  seats  near  to  their  own 
favourite  companions,  and  it  was  not  a  little  curious  to 
see  how,  by  this  means,  they  had  unconsciously  classed 
themselves.  They  all  rose  at  our  entrance,  and  showed 
the  exterior  mark  of  respect  for  their  seniors,  whether 
it  were  prompted  by  innate  feeling,  or  inculcated  by 
education. 

"  Welcome,  my  dear  young  friends,"  I  said,  as  I  ap- 
proached them ;  "but  let  me  survey  my  little  flock,  and 
endeavour  to  know  each  particularly.  This  is  the  Good 
Shepherd's  plan,  as  we  read  in  the  tenth  chapter  of 
5 


50  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE, 

John: — 'I  am  the  Good  Shepherd,  and  I  know  my 
sheep,  and  am  known  of  mine.'  So  let  us,  in  the  name 
of  that  Good  Shepherd,  know  each  other.  I  see  William, 
and  Isabella,  Maria,  Anna,  Mary,  Louisa,  and  her  bro- 
thers Charles  and  George.  I  think,  too,  I  see  all  the 
party  I  invited  at  Mrs.  Evans',  one,  two,  three,  four,  five, 
six,  seven,  eight  ;  and,  besides,  some  countenances  new 
to  me;  may  I  beg  them  to  be  introduced  ?" 

Mrs.  Evans  stepped  forward,  and  said,  "  These  are 
three  children  of  my  friends,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham." 

"  So  I  have  just  nineteen.  Now  observe,  I  count  you 
like  young  sheep ;  I  know  you  each  by  name,  and  a 
shepherd  always  desires  to  keep  up  his  flock ;  to  lose 
none ;  desirous  to  give  in  his  account,  presenting  them 
to  his  master.  How  beautiful  is  that  assurance  we  have 
in  Scripture,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  will  keep  his  own. 
He  laid  down  his  life  to  keep  them,  and  therefore  he 
will  say  when  he  presents  them  to  the  Father,  '  Behold 
I  and  the  children  whom  thou  hast  given  me.'  '  Of  all 
that  thou  hast  given  me  have  I  lost  none.' 

"  In  His  name  may  we  be  assembled  and  held  toge- 
ther, for  the  sacred  purpose  of  learning  how  to  manifest 
true  love  to  Him ! " 

(This  easy  address  calmed  the  agitation  which  was 
visible  in  some,  fearing  they  knew  not  what;  and  those 
with  whom  I  had  before  been  acquainted,  looked  pleased 
to  be  thus  welcomed.) 

"  In  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John,  at  the  fifteenth 
verse,  Jesus  thus  speaks  to  his  disciples : — "  If  ye 
love  me,  keep  my  commandments."  With  this  persua- 
sive plea,  how  sweet  do  the  commandments  of  the  Lord 
appear !  They  are  thus  laid  by  the  Gospel  on  the  basis 
of  love.     Obedience  is  named  as  the  proof  of  love  to 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  51 

Jesus.  Now,  my  dear  Maria,  does  not  this  accord  with 
your  motto,  *'  All  for  love  ?'" 

She  smiled,  and  said,  "  Yes." 

Au.  And  though  you  thought  that  "Honour  thy 
father  and  mother"  sounded  so  cold,  you  see  it  is  a 
commandment  to  be  kept  for  love. 

She  smiled  again. 

Au.  We  may  now  turn  to  the  twenty-first  verse,  and 
we  shall  see  a  further  explanation,  which  is  to  put  our 
love  to  the  proof.  We  cannot  keep  anything,  you  know, 
which  we  do  not  possess ;  we  must  first  have  it ;  and  we 
cannot  attempt  to  keep  a  command  of  which  we  know 
nothing — we  must  first  know  it.  So  we  read,  "  He  that 
hath  my  commandments,  and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that 
loveth  me."  When  we  love  the  Lord,  we  shall  inquire 
after  his!  will — what  he  would  have  us  to  do.  We  shall 
receive  our  instruction,  and  we  shall  endeavour  to  keep 
it.  It  is  a  proof  of  the  Lord's  grace  to  us  when  he 
gives  us  his  commands,  and  acquaints  us  with  his  will ; 
and  it  is  a  proof  of  our  love  to  him,  when  we  receive 
and  keep  his  gifts.  You  wear  in  your  bosom,  Maria,  a 
token  of  your  own  and  your  father's  mutual  love.  I 
dare  say  you  asked  for  it ;  he  gave  it,  and  you  keep  it : 
but  if,  like  Anna,  we  receive  a  gift,  and  lose  it,  it  is  not 
like  true  disinterested  love.  The  commandments  of  God 
are  a  kind  of  picture  of  our  God  ;  he  is  holy,  just, 
and  good,  and  they  are  holy,  just,  and  good ;  and  when 
we  lose  them,  and  would  substitute  any  other  thing  in 
their  place,  we  are  at  once  proved  to  be  without  love ; 
for  it  is  written  in  the  twenty-fourth  verse, "  He  that  lov- 
eth me  not,  keepeth  not  my  sayings." 

Now,  there  is  another  thing  in  love — it  cannot  be  sa- 
tisfied without  a  return ;  therefore,  it  is  promised  to  them 


52  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

that  love  the  Lord,  in  the  twenty-first  verse,  ( He  that 
loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father,  and  I  will  love 
him.'  Here  is  a  rich  promise,  repeated  in  the  twenty- 
third  verse :  '  If  a  man  love  me,  he  will  keep  my  words, 
and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we  will  come  unto 
him,  and  make  our  abode  with  him.'  But  I  will  ask 
Louisa  a  question  : — 

Is  this  love  to  God  natural  to  us? 

Louisa.    No,  uncle,  for  St.  John  says,  "  Herein  is 


Au.  True,  the  source  of  love  is  God.  "  God  is  love." 
And  it  is  written  in  the  second  chapter  of  I  John,  "  Who- 
so keepeth  his  word,  in  him,  verily,  is  the  love  of  God 
perfected.  Hereby  know  we  that  we  are  in  Him." 
What  I  desire,  my  dear  young  friends,  to  convey  to  you 
in  this  view,  is,  that  we  have  the  blessed  privilege  of  be- 
ing under  the  law  to  Christ,  (1  Cor.  ix.  21.)  whom  to 
serve  is  perfect  freedom ;  all  whose  commands  are  in 
love ;  and  who  giveth  the  principle  of  love  as  the  spring 
of  the  obedience  of  faith. 

Tell  me,  now,  dear  Mary,  what  is  the  fifth  command- 
ment ? 

Mary.  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy 
days  may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
giveth  thee." 

Au.    Where  was  it  given  ? 

Mary.    At  Mount  Sinai,  in  the  wilderness. 

Au.    To  whom  was  it  given  ? 

Mary.    To  all  the  children  of  Israel  1 

Au.    And  at  what  time  ? 

Mary  hesitated,  not  being  ready  with  a  reply ;  and 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  53 

€harles  modestly  said,  "  Just  after  they  had  been  deli- 
vered from  Egypt." 

Au.  Do  you  remember  what  the  land  of  Egypt  was 
called  by  the  Lord  ? 

Mary.  Do  you  mean,  uncle,  at  the  time  he  gave  the 
ten  commandments  ? 

Au.     I  do. 

Mary.    "  The  house  of  bondage,"  do  you  mean  ? 

Au.  Yes ;  by  which  I  mean  to  show,  that  when  the 
ten  commandments  were  given,  the  Israelites  were  in  a 
state  of  redemption,  and  that  the  law  was  given  to  them 
as  to  a  people  freed  from  the  bondage  of  Egypt ;  the  ten 
commandments  being  prefaced  by  this  declaration — "  I 
am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  brought  thee  out  of  the 
land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage."  And  they 
were  no  sooner  put  under  the  law  than  they  had,  be- 
sides, the  types  of  the  Gospel  in  Jesus,  through  the 
blood  of  the  slain  lamb.  So  the  terrors  of  the  strictness 
of  the  law  were  softened  by  the  provision  of  the  typical 
sacrifice  without  spot  or  blemish,  offered  as  an  atone- 
ment; so  that  even  then,  they  who  had  faith  might  be 
said  to  be  under  the  law  to  Christ,  which  it  is  said, 
{Gal.  iii.  19.)  was  ordained  by  angels  in  the  hand  of  a 
Mediator. 

If  the  law  was  given  to  the  children  of  Israel,  why  do 
we,  as  Gentiles,  take  it  to  ourselves  ? 

"Because,"  Charles  answered,  "we  are  children  of 
Abraham  by  faith ;  we  are  grafted  into  the  olive-tree  of 
the  Jews,  and  partake  of  the  fatness  of  the  olive." 

Au.     It  is  so ;  and,  moreover,  when  we  believe,  we  are 

redeemed  from  out  of  the  wicked  world — out  of  the 

house  of  bondage ;  for  Egypt,  which  was  a  literal  plaee 

of  bondage  to  the  Jews,  is  a  typical  representation  of  the 

5* 


54  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

world,  which  is  our  place  of  bondage ;  Satan  being  the 
prince  of  this  world,  and  he  that  puts  hard  yokes  on 
the  necks  of  those  who  dwell  in  it. 

Do  you  remember  how  the  children  of  Israel  were  de- 
livered ? 

George  said,  "  With  a  high  hand,  and  a  stretched -out 
arm,  and  with  great  power." 

Au.  Yes,  George;  and,  moreover,  with  blood.  The 
Lord  redeemed  them,  saving  them  from  the  destroying 
angel.  They  were  ordered  to  slay  the  Lamb  for  the  sa- 
crifice, of  the  passover — to  sprinkle  the  blood  on  their 
houses,  which  was  the  token  of  the  salvation  by  which 
they  were  sanctified  to  the  Lord,  and  separated  from 
the  Egyptians.  They  were  to  eat  of  the  Lamb  with 
their  loins  girt  and  their  staff  in  their  hand,  ready  to  set 
out  on  their  pilgrimage.  They  were  then  brought  out, 
led  through  the  Red  Sea,  and  were  in  a  state  of  peculiar 
and  distinguishing  privileges,  by  the  blood  of  the  cove- 
nant, when  the  commandments  were  given  to  them, 
They  were  under  the  promise  which  was  given  to  Abra- 
ham, and  under  the  same  covenant ;  but  the  law  was 
added — do  you  know  why? 

George.  Yes,  uncle ;  it  was  added  because  of  trans- 
gressions.    Gal.  iii.  19. 

Au.    What  is  the  use  of  the  law  ? 

George.  By  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin,  Horn. 
iii.  20. 

Au.    Has  the  law  any  other  office  ? 

George.  Yes  ;  as  a  schoolmaster,  to  bring  us  to 
Christ.     Gal.  iii.  24. 

Au.  True ;  when  the  Lord  saith  by  the  law,  "  Do 
this  and  live,"  we  find  out  the  sin  which  prevents  our 
doing  it,  and  hinders  our  living  by  it  j  then  we  are  led 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  55 

to  lament  our  sin,  and  say, "  O  wretched  man  that  I  am  I" 
Feeling  that  there  is  an  inward  bondage,  from  which 
we  need  to  be  made  free,  we  are  led  to  inquire,  Who 
shall  deliver  me  from  this  body  of  death — a  death  more 
fearful  than  that  which  was  seen  in  Egypt,  when  the 
first-born  in  every  house  was  slain,  but  from  which  the 
children  of  Israel  were  delivered.  This  is  not  a  destroy- 
ing angel,  but  the  very  body  of  death — the  sin  in  our- 
selves. The  Lord  brings  us  to  the  knowledge  of  this, 
and  also  brings  us  to  lament  and  inquire,  as  the  Apostle 
did,  "Who  shall  deliver  me?"  Bom.  vi.  24.  Then 
comes  the  application  of  Jesus'  grace,  and  we  find  our 
deliverance  in  him  :  "  I  thank  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord  !"  I  do  not  know  whether  you  un- 
derstand my  reason  for  introducing  this  argument.  Can 
you  tell  me  what  you  understand  by  it,  Charles  ? 

Charles  seemed,  by  his  countenance,  which  he  stead- 
fastly fixed  on  mine,  as  if  he  were  endeavouring  to  ga- 
ther up  the  thread ;  and  all  the  others  looked  towards 
$um,  waiting  his  reply.    At  length  he  said — 

"  Is  it  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  us  to  look  at  the 
£aw  without  dread  ;  seeing  that,  though  by  it  is  the 
knowledge  of  sin,  yet  it,  as  a  schoolmaster,  brings  us  to 
Christ  Jesus,  who  delivers  us  from  the  curse  of  the 
law?" 

An.  Yes,  that  is  one  purpose.  What  is  the  curse  of 
the  law  ? 

Charles.    Death  for  breaking  it.    "  Thou  shalt  die." 

Au.  How  did  Jesus  Christ  deliver  us  from  this 
curse  1 

Charles.  By  dying  for  us.  He  was  made  sin  for  ue; 
he  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree. 


56      THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Au.  But  Christ  also  delivers  us  from  the  bondage 
of  the  law.    What  is  the  bondage  of  the  law  ? 

Charles.    \  do  not  think  I  can  clearly  tell  you. 

An.  The  bondage  of  the  law  is  the  condition  it  pro- 
poses for  life,  "  Do  this  and  live."  That  is  the  bond- 
age of  the  law.  Does  the  Lord  Jesus  ever  direct  us  to 
such  conditions'? 

"  No,"  said  Louisa;  "  He  once  answered  the  Pharisee 
according  to  these  words,  Matt.  xix.  16 — 22;  but  that 
was  to  convince  him  of  sin,  and  to  leave  him  without 
excuse,  when  he  had  asked,  '  Good  master,  what  shall  / 
do  to  inherit  eternal  life  ? ' " 

Au.  In  what  way,  then,  does  the  Lord  Jesus  pro- 
pose life  to  us  ? 

Louisa.  O,  very  differently,  uncle.  He  says,  "  Who- 
soever believeth  in  me  hath  eternal  life."  And  He  says, 
at  the  same  time,  why  we  shall  die,  in  that  scripture, 
John  iii.  36.  And  I  have  often  thought  how  different  it 
is  from  the  conditions  of  life  and  death  in  the  law.  "  He 
that  believeth  on  the  Son  hath  everlasting  life  ;  and 
he  that  believeth  not  the  Son,  shall  not  see  life,  but  the 
wrath  of  God  abideth  on  him." 

Au.  Thank  you,  my  dear  Louisa,  for  communicating 
your  thoughts.  We  are  now  come  to  a  clear  point  of 
understanding  as  to  the  proper  use  and  application  of  the 
law ;  which  is  very  important  to  us,  as  I  desire  so  much 
to  fix  one  of  the  commandments  of  the  law  at  this  time 
so  particularly  on  your  attention ;  namely,  the  fifth — 
"  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may 
be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee." 
Therefore  you  will  all,  I  hope,  my  dear  young  friends, 
bear  in  mind,  that  I  do  not  impress  it  on  you  as  a  con- 
dition of  life,  but  as  a  proof  of  love  to  the  Lord  Jesus 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  57 

— "  If  you  love  me,  keep  my  commandments."  Indeed, 
it  would  be  an  absurdity  so  to  do,  for  he  that  loveth  the 
Lord  is  loved  of  God,  and  has  already  received  the 
principle  of  eternal  life  from  the  gift  of  God  himself. 

Mary,  who  appeared  to  gather  a  little  confidence  from 
seeing  the  easy  manner  in  which  my  sister's  children 
answered  my  questions,  in  a  very  diffident  tone  of  voice, 
said,  "  But  is  there  not  a  condition  of  life  belonging  to 
the  fifth  commandment,  when  it  says,  '  that  thy  days 
may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giv- 
eththee?'" 

Delighted  to  find  her  mind  engaged  in  discriminating 
the  subject,  I  could  not  help  showing  my  pleasure  by  an 
involuntary  smile,  which  raised  a  blush  for  a  moment, 
from  consciousness  of  the  encouragement. 

Au.  Your  question  will  soon  be  answered,  my  dear 
Mary,  by  referring  to  the  Apostle's  description :  he  calls 
it,  the  first  commandment  with  promise.  Reflect  now 
on  the  difference  between  a  condition  and  a  promise^ 
and  I  will  try  to  help  you  to  distinguish  them. 

All  the  commandments  had  the  condition,  "  Do  this 
and  live  ;"  but  it  is  peculiar  to  the  fifth  commandment 
to  have  a  promise  annexed  to  it,  such  as  is  not  given  to 
the  others.  It  is  written,  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  for- 
get our  work  and  labour  of  love.  He  has  a  reward  of 
grace ;  he  suffers  our  obedience  to  be  regarded  as  a  proof 
of  love  and  grace,  and  grants  that  the  works  of  the 
saved  shall  follow  them.  Rev.  xiv.  13.  But  they  are  no 
conditions  by  which  we  live,  or  for  which  we  live ;  had 
it  been  so,  it  had  been  no  more  a  'promise.  He  in  His 
own  grace  is  pleased  to  hold  out  a  promise,  which  is  His 
own  free  offer  and  gift,  to  which  we  have  no  right  nor 
claim  of  ourselves.    Besides,  it  is  not  the  life  that  is  in 


58  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Jesus,  which  is  here  promised  upon  our  attention  to  the 
fifth  commandment;  that  is  secured  to  us  on  another 
foundation,  even  Jesus  himself.  We  find  the  Lord  fre- 
quently setting  promises  before  us  for  fruits  of  grace  and 
faith.  The  promises  are  the  earnests  of  the  inherit- 
ance which  we  possess  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  the  fruits 
of  grace  show  to  us  the  character  of  the  people  who  are 
to  be  inheritors.  Do  you  understand  the  distinction 
better  ? 

Mary.    I  think  I  do. 

Au.  You  must  be  always  careful  to  distinguish  a  pro- 
mise from  a  condition.  If  you  seek  to  keep  the  law  as 
a  condition,  you  will  either  be  an  ignorant  Pharisee, 
supposing  yourself  righteous  in  your  own  works;  or 
you  will  be  cast  down  in  despair,  in  finding  how  far  you 
come  short  of  the  righteousness  of  the  law.  If  you  re- 
member the  commandment  as  one  of  love  and  promise, 
you  will  be  free  in  your  obedience ;  and  encouraged  to 
perseverance,  by  a  fear  of  disregarding  the  promise. 
There  is  much  more  to  be  said  on  this  subject,  but  at 
present  I  will  go  no  further. 

Then,  after  a  little  pause,  I  looked  round  on  all  my 
little  company,  for  some  of  them  seemed  a  little  over- 
powered by  this  long  reasoning.  "Now  tell  me,  my  dear 
young  people,  do  you  not  already  feel  drawn  to  love  the 
fifth  commandment •?  especially  as  you  may  consider  it 
so  closely  connected  with  your  daily,  hourly  duty  to 
your  own  dear  earthly  parents ;  whom  you  ought  to  love 
and  obey,  and  who  love  you  so  intensely,  that  they  al 
ways  seek  your  benefit  and  happiness,  according  to  their 
persuasion  of  what  shall  most  contribute  to  them?" 

There  appeared  a  general  assent  to  my  appeal,  some 
whispered  a  little  "Yes,"  others  raised  their  eyes  to  seek 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  59 

the  countenances  of  their  parents  who  were  present, 
and  others  appeared  to  be  reflecting  on  the  application 
of  the  question.     . 

Au.  It  will,  however,  be  well  to  give  your  minds  a 
little  preparatory  direction  to  the  meaning  of  the  duty 
enjoined  by  the  word  "  honour."  It  is  a  term  used  to 
imply  respect,  deference,  attention,  obedience,  gratitude 
— and  these  feelings  can  only  be  shown  by  actions. 
When,  therefore,  the  Lord  commands  you  to  honour 
your  father  and  your  mother,  you  must  bear  in  mind 
that  it  lays  upon  you  these  obligations : — that  you  take 
no  undue  liberties  with  them ;  that  you  submit  to  their 
commands,  not  opposing  your  own  inclinations,  but 
yielding  them  to  their  superior  wisdom;  that  you  pay 
constant  attention  to  their  wishes ;  that  you  obey  their 
injunctions ;  and  that  you  be  grateful  for  the  tender  care 
and  instructions  you  daily  receive  from  them.  Tell  me 
now  what  you  mean  by  the  honour  you  are  to  pay  to 
your  parents  ? 

Some  of  them  answered  separately — 
"  To  respect  them." 
"  To  give  up  my  wishes  to  theirs." 
"  To  pay  every  attention  to  their  desires." 
"  To  obey  all  their  injunctions." 
"  To  be  grateful  for  all  their  kind  care." 
Au.    Very  well ;   remember  these   simple  rules  as 
some  explanation  of  honour,  and  when  you  fail  in  them, 
recollect  you  are  not  honouring  them ;  and  when  you 
endeavour  to  honour  them,  may  it  be  as  the  proof  both 
of  love  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  that  you  do  not  despise 
the  promise  of  God. 

Thinking  this  little  instruction  sufficient  for  a  first  in- 
terview, and  calculated  to  induce  some  further  thought 


60      THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

on  the  subject  during  the  week,  I  then  proposed  that  we 
should  conclude,  saying — 

"  As  we  are  now  directed  to  look  to  the  Lord,  whose 
name  is  Love,  we  will  not  separate  without  commending 
ourselves  to  him  in  a  short  prayer.  Remember,  there- 
fore, how  near  the  Throne  of  Grace  we  are,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  we  have  access  to 
the  Father  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  At  the  foot  of  that 
throne  let  us  bend  our  knees,  and  implore  from  the  heart 
that  the  Spirit  of  grace  may  be  granted  to  us,  to  love 
the  Law  of  the  Lord  ;  and  let  us  pray  that  that  law  may 
be  written  on  the  tables  of  our  hearts,  by  the  same  Spirit, 
that  we  may  keep  it  in  the  love  of  Jesus," 

When  we  had  concluded,  there  was  a  little  bustle 
amongst  the  party,  in  preparing  for  their  departure,  and 
some  of  the  parents  expressed  their  sentiments  to  me  on 
the  subject  of  the  evening,  in  a  way  that  gave  me  a  hope 
I  had  obtained  an  interest. 

I  saw  many  little  indications  amongst  the  young  peo- 
ple, of  the  necessity  of  urging  their  attention  to  this 
duty ;  one  resisting  the  care  of  the  mother,  in  wrapping 
her  up  for  fear  of  cold ;  another,  disrespectful  in  man- 
ners; a  third,  totally  indifferent  to  the  injunctions  given 
to  be  steady  and  careful,  whilst  others  were  silently  at- 
tentive and  conforming  to  the  wishes  of  their  parents. 

Louisa  had  received  the  charge  of  her  mother  to  ren- 
der all  the  little  services  in  her  power,  and  she  was  bu- 
sily engaged  in  the  courtesies  and  kindnesses  the  occa- 
sion demanded. 

Very  soon  we  were  left  to  our  own  party,  and  natur- 
ally continued  our  conversations  on  the  subject  which 
had  been  engaging  us ;  suggesting  plans  for  our  future 
meeting.     In  pursuance  of  which,  I  engaged  my  ne- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  61 

phews  and  niece  to  accompany  me  the  next  morning, 
if  spared,  to  make  some  researches  among  our  poorer 
neighbours. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Author's  visit  to  the  cottage  of  little  Jane's  father. — 
Methods  of  winning  obedience  from  children. 

We  bent  our  steps,  early  in  the  morning,  to  the  gar- 
den of  little  Jane's  father,  who  civilly  permitted  his 
friends  to  walk  in  it  occasionally.  We  found  them  all 
busily  commencing  their  morning  work  in  the  garden ; 
Jane  and  her  two  brothers  were  ready,  with  their  little 
woollen  aprons  on,  and  coarse  baskets  in  their  hand  ; 
Thomas,  their  father,  had  a  spade,  rake,  and  hoe,  over 
his  shoulder  5  and  a  little  girl,  about  five  years  old,  was 
standing  at  a  little  distance,  as  if  not  quite  so  ready  in 
mind  as  the  others  to  proceed  to  her  occupation ;  she 
was  pouting  with  an  air  of  discontent.  Jane  looked  at 
her  and  said — 

"  Corae,  little  Sarah,  go  gather  the  gooseberries." 

Sarah  shook  her  elbows  as  if  refusing,  without  ad- 
vancing a  step. 

The  father  looked  at  her,  and  she  hung  her  head 
ashamed,  but  still  did  not  move. 

"  Come,  little  Sarah,"  again  said  Jane,  "  go  gather  the 
gooseberries." 

"  Let  her  alone,  Jane,  said  Thomas,  "  I  have  told  her 
what  I  expect  her  to  do." 
6 


62  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Jane  looked  wistfully  at  her,  as  if  she  would  persuade 
her. 

"  Come  on,  my  children,"  Thomas  cheerfully  said, 
"we  must  make  the  most  of  time."  Jane  and  her 
brothers  moved  briskly  after  their  father,  and  were  soon 
at  the  far  end  of  the  garden,  and  entered  on  their  duty, 
following  their  father's  spade,  gathering  out  stones  and 
large  weeds  a*s  he  threw  them  out  in  digging. 

Little  Sarah  began  to  move,  and  with  slow,  unwilling 
steps,  at  last  reached  a  gooseberry  tree,  and  after  waiting 
a  minute  or  two,  as  if  debating  between  her  conscience 
and  her  will,  she  sat  down  at  the  foot  of  the  tree,  and 
very  deliberately  began  to  pull  the  fruit,  one  by  one,  into 
the  basket;  she  then  began  to  cry,  having  pricked  her 
finger  with  a  thorn. 

We  went  up  to  her :  "  How  many  gooseberries  are 
you  to  gather.  Sarah?" 

"  To  fill  my  basket,"  she  replied,  sobbing. 

Au.     The  sooner  the  better,  then,  Sarah. 

Sarah.  It  pricks  my  fingers ;  father  knows  it  pricks 
my  fingers ! 

Au.  Be  careful,  and  then  you  will  not  prick  your 
fingers. 

Looking  at  her  fingers,  she  said,  "  It  bleeds,  it  does ! " 

Au.    Must  I  go  and  tell  your  father  ? 

Sarah.    No,  he  won't  take  any  notice. 

Au.    What  will  you  do,  then. 

She  made  no  answer,  but  looking  at  her  finger  with 
some  self-pity,  drew  the  back  of  her  hand  over  her 
eyes,  to  wipe  off  the  tears,  and  began  her  work  again 
with  caution. 

An.  Why,  Sarah,  do  you  go  on  gathering  when  you 
prick  your  fingers  ? 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  63 

■Sarah.    Father  bid  me. 

Au.    Will  you  fill  your  basket  ? 

Sarah.    Yes,  Father  bid  me. 

Au.    You  will  be  very  long  about  it. 

Sarah.     I'll  make  haste. 

Au.     Who  are  they  for  ? 

Sarah.  For  mother— father  bid  me  take  'em  to 
mother. 

Au.    Does  she  want  them  for  herself? 

Sarah.    Nay,  she  sells  'em. 

We  remained  by  her,  interested  to  observe  whether 
she  would  accomplish  her  task ;  she  was  soon  arrested 
to  contemplate  two  gooseberries  particularly  large ;  she 
then  plucked  a  strawberry  leaf  which  was  near  her,  and 
putting  it  on  one  side  the  basket,  placed  the  two  goose- 
berries in  it. 

Au.  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  these  fine  large 
gooseberries  ? 

Sarah.    One's  for  father,  and  one's  for  mother. 

Au.  Take  care  of  them,  then,  and  make  haste  to  fill 
your  basket. 

Sarah.    Yes,  I  will. 

We  moved  on,  and  Louisa  said,  "  Do  you  not  think, 
uncle,  this  little  girl  has  taught  us  a  very  good  lesson 
this  morning?" 

Au.  I  should  like  to  have  your  sentiments  upon  it, 
my  love. 

Louisa.  Really,  I  think  I  saw  the  natural  dislike  to 
obey;  and  the  objection  to  the  work  set  her  because  it 
was  not  agreeable  to  herself ;  but  the  respect  for  her  fa- 
tner's  command  induced  her  to  go  on.  She  complained 
as  if  she  thought  her  father  unreasonable  when  she  hurt 
herself,  but  then  the  command  of  her  father  impelled 


64       THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

her  to  persevere;  it  was  all  because  "father  bid  me ;" 
and  at  last  she  began  to  delight  in  the  opportunity  of 
taking  an  offering  to  her  father  and  mother,  in  such  a 
pretty  spirit  of  love,  as  gave  a  new  motive  for  exertion. 
I  think  this  is  to  "  honour  thy  father  and  mother." 

Au.  It  is  a  very  pretty  interpretation  of  the  feeling 
of  the  littJe  girl,  and  I  do  think  a  true  one;  it  is,  how- 
ever, evident  that  the  child  is  well  trained  ;  we  will  go 
on,  and  see  if  any  other  incident  will  afford  us  instruc- 
tion. 

We  took  our  station  near  Thomas  and  his  children  ; 
he  touched  his  hat  as  we  approached,  and  the  boys  fol- 
lowed his  example;  Jane  also  made  her  curtesy;  the 
children  were  a  little  tempted  to  gaze  at  my  young  par- 
ty, but  as  Thomas  said — 

"Don't  be  rude,  children — mind  your  work;"  they 
renewed  their  application,  and  as  they  filled  their  bas- 
kets, emptied  them  into  two  barrows,  one  for  the  stones, 
and  the  other  for  the  weeds. 

Au.  You  are  right,  Thomas,  to  bring  up  your  chil- 
dren to  habits  of  industry. 

Thomas.  It  is  my  duty,  Sir,  and  it  is  part  of  the 
training  we  ought  to  bring  them  up  in,  if  we  would  de- 
sire them  to  be  useful  members  in  society,  or  happy  ei- 
ther ;  there's  none  so  miserable  as  idle  people,  and 
they're  sure  to  be  ungodly,  too. 

Au.  How  do  you  manage  with  them  to  make  them 
so  industrious  ? 

Thomas.  I  can  hardly  say,  Sir ;  I  think  it  comes 
naturally,  as  a  part  of  the  duty  they  owe  to  their  pa- 
rents. 

Au.  Do  you  take  the  fifth  commandment  as  a  motive, 
to  present  to  your  children  ? 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  65 

Thomas.  Why,  Sir,  as  far  as  regards  the  mother 
and  me  I  do,  at  least  I  try  to  do  it ;  only  telling  them 
that  it  is  the  will  of  the  Lord  ;  so  that  they  may  under- 
stand it  is  not  a  rule  of  my  own  making. 

An.  How  then  do  you  teach  them  to  know  the  exact 
duties  they  owe?  You  must  excuse  my  asking  you,  but 
my  young  friends  and  I  are  just  now  particularly  en- 
gaged in  the  consideration  of  this  commandment. 

Thomas.  I  ask  your  pardon,  Sir,  I've  but  little  to 
say,  I  think  it  is  all  in  that  explanation  in  the  Catechism ; 
(he  looked  kindly  at  my  companions,  and  added,)  "  to 
love,  honour,  and  succour,  my  father  and  mother ;" — I 
think  they  must  mind  these  three  things,  and  our  Lord 
explains  it  something  in  the  same  way,  from  which,  I 
take  it,  the  explanation  in  the  Catechism  is  framed. 

Au.  Do  you  try  to  fix  these  principles  in  their 
minds  1 

Thomas.  Yes,  Sir,  I  do,  and  I  find,  it  as  great  a  les- 
son to  myself,  as  to  them  ;  for  I  think  to  myself— How 
can  they  love  me,  if  I  do  not  behave  so  as  to  win  their 
love ;  and  how  can  they  honour  me,  if  I  do  not  show 
them  that  the  principles  I  act  on  are  honourable;  and 
how  can  they  succour  me,  if  I  do  not  make  them  like 
little  partners  in  all  that  concerns  us,  so  that  they  lend 
a  helping  hand  in  everything :  in  short,  Sir,  I  find  the 
work  must  begin  at  home. 

The  children  frequently  looked  at  their  father  whilst 
he  spoke ;  as  if  it  was  a  principle  of  reasoning  which 
they  were  accustomed  to  hear,  and  in  which  they 
agreed. 

Turning  to  Louisa,  I  said,  "  I  think  we  can  trace  these 
principles  to  have  been  operating  in  little  Sarah's  mind. 
6* 


66  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Do  you  know,  Thomas,  that  your  little  girl  has  been  ga- 
thering the  gooseberries?" 

Thomas.  I  did  not  know  it,  Sir;  but  I  thought  she 
would  go  in  time ;  she's  very  apt  to  be  fondling  about 
me,  and  would  spend  her  time  in  talking  about  loving 
father  and  mother,  but  I  always  tell  them,  love  must  be 
proved ;  and  for  that  reason,  I  set  her  to  gather  the 
gooseberries,  to  teach  her  what  I  mean  by  practice,  and 
she  has  minded  the  rules.  But,  Sir,  if  you  would  like 
to  hear  a  man  of  God  talk  about  the  duty  of  children, 
I  think  you'd  be  pleased  to  hear  my  old  father  tell  you 
what  he  thinks.  I  owe  my  instruction  to  him,  and  he 
greatly  helps  me  to  discharge  my  duty  to  my  own.  He's 
old  and  infirm  now,  but  his  grey  hairs  are  full  of  godly 
wisdom. 

Au.    Where  does  he  live  ? 

Thomas.  Oh  !  ever  since  my  mother  died,  he  lives 
with  my  wife  and  me,  and  a  blessing  we  find  him ;  he 
often  hears  my  children  read  in  the  Bible,  and  it's  a 
sight  I  love  to  see,  when  he  puts  on  his  spectacles,  and 
opens  our  large  Bible,  and  gets  the  young  ones  round 
him,  and  talks  to  them  of  God's  word,  and  of  the  love 
of  Jesus. 

Au.  If  you  will  allow  me,  we  will  come  another  day; 
at  present  we  will  make  our  way  home  through  this  path- 
way of  the  garden,  which  will  take  us  round  through 
the  village,  with  a  little  variation  in  our  walk. 

Thomas.  Whenever  you  please,  Sir,  you'll  always 
find  him  at  home. 

"  Uncle,"  said  Charles,  as  he  walked  on,  "  what  do 
you  think  of  Thomas  ?  " 

Au*    Why,  my  dear  Charles  ? 

i 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  67 

Charles.  Do  you  not  think  he  loves>  honours,  and 
succours  his  father  ? 

Au.  Indeed  I  do ;  it  is  quite  evident  he  knows  in  his 
own  heart  the  principles  he  wishes  to  inculcate  on  his 
children ;  and  what  an  advantage  does  this  give  him,  for 
the  children  cannot  fail  to  behold  the  practice  of  the  pre- 
cept he  teaches,  and  they  must  be  persuaded  of  the  truth 
of  his  lessons.  0 

"  Look,  uncle,"  said  George,  "  there  is  a  boy  hard  at 
work  j  only  listen  to  the  clinking  of  his  loom,  how  quick 
he  must  throw  the  shuttle." 

Au.  The  poor  allow  us  the  privilege  of  looking  in 
upon  them ;  we  will  go  and  talk  with  the  boy. 

You  are  working  hard,  my  boy;  how  much,  at  this 
rate,  can  you  weave  in  a  week  ? 

Boy.  I  always  gets  my  web  out  on  Saturday  night, 
(he  answered,  without  stopping  his  hand.) 

Au.  Then  you  are  able  to  help  your  father  and  mo- 
ther? 

Boy.  Yes,  I  pays  them  so  much  for  my  board  and 
lodging,  and  for  my  washing;  and  I  finds  myself  with 
clothes,  (going  on  with  his  work.) 

The  mother,  who  was  knitting  at  one  corner  of  the 
room,  was  induced  to  draw  near,  and  seemed  much 
pleased  that  we  had  noticed  the  boy. 

Au.  Your  son  seems  very  industrious ;  it  is  a  com- 
fort to  you,  no  doubt  ? 

Mother.  Ay,  Sir,  that  it  is ;  he's  a  good  lad  now,  and 
he's  found  the  sweets  of  working  hard ;  but  you  see, 
Sir,  its  only  of  late  that  we've  got  him  to  work,  he  used 
always  to  be  idling  about,  and  we  couldn't  get  him  to 
earn  ought  to  help  us,  and  when  he  grew  such  a  big 
lad,  he  took  a  deal  of  supporting  out  of  my  husband's 


68  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

wages.  I'm  knitting  these  stockings  for  him,  and  he'll 
pay  me  for  doing  it. 

Au.    What  changed  him  to  this  industrious  habit  1 

Mother.  Why  you  see,  Sir,  my  husband  hit  on  this 
experiment,  as  a  bit  of  encouragement  for  him,  and  told 
him  he  should  have  all  he  could  earn  for  himself,  and 
pay  us  out  of  it  for  his  meat  and  washing,  and  such  like. 
So  he  fell  to  working,  and  the  first  week's  wages  he  got 
into  his  own  hands,  he  jumped  about  like  a  mad  thing 
with  delight ;  only  he's  this  fault,  he  grudges  a  bit  giv- 
ing me  enough  for  his  meat,  for  now  he's  so  big  he  takes 
a  deal  more  keeping,  and  besides  working  so  makes  him 
more  hungry. 

Au.    Do  you  think  this  is  a  good  plan  ? 

Mother.  Why  yes,  I  do,  Sir,  many  of  our  neigh- 
bours does  the  same ;  you  see  it  makes  'em  feel  a  bit  in- 
dependent, and  puts  a  bit  of  spirit  in  them,  and  it's  one 
way  of  making  'em  help  us,  you  see. 

Au.  I  doubt  whether  you'll  find  it  a  good  plan  in  the 
end  ;  have  you  ever  taught  him  his  duty  from  the  fifth 
commandment  1 

She  hesitated  a  minute  ;  at  last  with  a  little  curtsey, 
she  said — "  I  ask  pardon,  Sir,  but  I've  clean  forgot  which 
is  the  fifth  commandment.  I  could  say  my  catechism 
well  when  I  was  a  girl,  but  its  all  gone  out  of  my  head." 

Au.  That's  a  pity;  but  that  the  commandment  of 
God  should  have  gone  oi>t  of  your  mind  is  a  sin,  and  a 
dreadful  one  too  ;  it  shows  that  you  do  not  think  of  God 
as  your  Lord  and  Maker.  I  do  not  wonder  you  could 
not  get  your  boy  to  work  without  your  experiment. — 
Tell  me,  my  boy,  do  you  know  the  fifth  commandment? 
(He  pretended  to  be  busy  tying  a  knot  in  the  thread,  and 
did  not  answer.) 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  69 

I  see  it  is  not  a  rule  in  this  house,  but  I  will  leave  you 
without  excuse,  by  repeating  it  for  the  instruction  of  you 
both — "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother :  that  thy 
days  may  be  long  in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God 
giveth  thee."  Now  see,  if  you  had  taught  your  lad  this, 
he  perhaps  would  have  worked  out  of  love  and  respect 
for  you  and  his  father,  and  have  learnt  to  delight  in  suc- 
couring you.  But  now  it  is  all  selfish,  for  his  own  gra- 
tification, to  throw  off  all  dependence  on  his  parents, 
and  to  look  upon  you  as  under  an  obligation  to  him,  in- 
stead of  his  feeling  his  obligation  to  you.  You  will  find 
out  the  mischief  of  this  system  sooner  or  later.  As  you 
seem  a  woman  who  can  calculate  consequences,  and 
which  way  advantage  or  gain  may  be  sought,  I  will  re- 
quest you  to  think  of  this,  and  whether  you  have  not 
given  your  son  a  wrong  motive  for  his  industry ;  and 
when  you  find  things  going  wrong  with  him,  ask. 
yourself  if  it  has  not  been  owing  to  this  fault  in  bring- 
ing him  up. 

Mother.  Why,  Sir,  may  be  your  advice  is  good,  but 
at  present  I  don't  seem  to  have  much  to  fear. 

Au.  Only  remember  what  I  say,  and  perhaps  I  shall 
see  you  again. 

What's  your  name,  my  boy  ? 

"  Dick  Johnson,"  he  answered,  in  a  bold  and  some- 
I  what  resentful  tone. 

Au.  Well,  Dick,  I  wish  you  may  remember  the  word 
of  God  spoken  to  all  sons  and  daughters :  'k  Honour  thy 
faiher  and  thy  mother." 

My  young  companions  again  made  their  remarks,  and 

;  showed  themselves  so  well  grounded  in  the  sense  of  the 

commandment,  that  they  Were  able  to  detect  the  false 

principle  of  training  which  was  here  adopted ;  but  we 


70  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

were  interrupted  in  our  conversation  by  drawing  near  to 
a  group  of  big  boys  and  young  men  who  were  engaged 
in  throwing  quoits,  and  had  evidently  been  stopped  in 
their  game  by  a  squabble  among  themselves,  as  to  the 
right  award  of  victory.  They  were  vociferating,  "Fair 
play !  fair  play ! "  and  there  seemed  a  contention  be- 
tween two  parties.  Just  at  that  time  an  elderly,  decent 
looking  man  came  out  of  his  house,  attracted  by  the 
noise  ;  his  countenance  was  full  of  anxious  inquiry,  and 
going  up  to  one  of  them,  he  said — 

"  Ah,  John  !  you'll  never  mend,  you're  always  at  this 
work,  gambling  and  quarrelling,  and  idling  and  wasting 
your  money." 

"  What's  that  to  you?"  he  answered ;  "  my  money's 
my  own ;  what  I've  earned  I've  a  right  to  spend  as  I 
please." 

Father.  I  wish  you'd  leave  such  ways,  and  come 
home  to  your  mother  and  me. 

John.  Nay,  liberty's  sweet,  and  as  long  as  I  can  earn 
my  own  bread  I'll  keep  it. 

Father.  A  time  will  come,  when  perhaps  thou'll  be 
glad  to  have  a  father  and  mother  to  come  to. 

John.    May  be,  but  that's  not  now. 

The  man  uttered  a  kind  of  groan  that  seemed  wrung 
from  his  bosom  by  inward  anguish;  and  as  if  in  despair, 
turned  away,  and  re-entered  his  house. 

This  was  a  scene  and  dialogue  that  struck  my  young 
friends  with  horror,  and  they  seemed  scarcely  able  to 
endure  it. 

"Wicked  wretch!"  said  Charles,  in  a  burst  of  indig- 
nation. 

"  Poor  man  !"  said  George,  "  let  us  go  in  and  speak 
to  him." 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  71 

u  I  wonder  what  his  poor  mother  feels  V1  said  Louisa. 

Au.     We  will  go  in  for  a  moment. 

We  tapped  at  the  door,  which  was  opened  to  us  hy  a 
very  respectable  looking  elderly  woman  j  she  curtsied 
as  she  inquired — 

"  What  do  you  please  to  want,  Sir  ?  " 

Au.  To  speak  a  word  to  your  husband,  if  you  please. 
(He  was  gone  into  an  inner  room,  but  hearing  our  de- 
sire, he  came  to  us.  His  eyes  were  red  with  the  scald- 
ing tear  of  anguish,  but  he  endeavoured  to  wait  calmly 
our  business.) 

I  am  sorry  to  say,  we  have  just  been  the  witnesses  to 
your  distress,  and  I  would  wish,  if  it  were  possible,  to 
help  you  to  some  remedy. 

"  What  remedy !"  he  exclaimed,  yielding  to  the  feel- 
ing which  overpowered  him.  "  My  son's  lost,  and  no- 
thing moves  him." 

The  woman  turned  to  set  by  some  chairs,  with  the  in- 
tention of  hiding  the  tears  that  flowed  down  her  cheeks 
at  this  declaration. 

Au.  He  is  indeed  very  bad;  all  the  sin  of  his  heart 
seems  at  work,  and  it  is  no  slight  proof  of  it  when  such 
disobedience  is  manifested.  Have  you  tried  to  bring  him 
up  in  the  fear  of  God  ? 

Father.  When  he  was  young  and  tractable,  I  took 
him  to  Sunday  school,  and  to  church,  and  always  set 
him  a  good  example ;  but  he's  followed  wicked  lads,  and 
turned  out  as  you  see ;  he  grew  so  stubborn  and  high- 
minded,  we  could  not  manage  him,  and  at  last  he  left  us 
quite. 

Au.    How  came  he  to  be  able  to  leave  you  1  did  he 
not  depend  on  you  for  his  support  ? 
I 


72  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Father.  No ;  he's  been  able  to  earn  his  own  bread 
ever  since  he  was  twelve  years  old. 

Au.    Have  you  any  other  children  1 

Father.    Yes,  two,  a  boy  and  a  girl. 

Au.    Are  you  bringing  them  up  in  the  same  way? 

Father.  I  don't  know  what  better  to  do ;  but  I  dare 
not  let  them  see  their  brother  much,  for  fear  they  should 
turn  out  the  same. 

Au.  I  would  not  wish  to  add  to  your  trouble,  but  per- 
haps you'll  take  it  as  a  friendly  warning,  if  I  say,  that 
they  are  very  likely  to  be  the  same. 

He  started,  and  said,  "  Why,  Sir,  do  you  know  aught 
amiss  of  them  %  " 

Au.  No,  I  do  not  know  them,  but  I  know  somewhat 
amiss  of  you. 

Father.    What,  pray,  Sir  ? 

Au.  That  you  have  neglected  your  duty  to  your 
children ! 

Father.    How,  Sir  ? 

Au.  I  think  you  have  taught  them  neither  the  love  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  nor  the  commandment  of  God. 

Father.  You're  wrong,  Sir,  for  I've  taught  them  the 
Commandments  and  all  the  Catechism. 

Au.  You  mean  to  say,  that  you  have  made  them 
learn  them  like  parrots,  to  repeat  word  by  word ;  but 
you  have  not  taught  them  how  to  observe  them ;  you 
have  not  taught  them  to  love,  and  honour,  and  succour 
you  and  their  mother ;  you  have  put  them  upon  caring 
for  themselves,  after  the  principle  of  this  selfish  world, 
and  if  they  have  no  better  motive,  they  will  each  please 
themselves  according  to  the  different  turn  of  their  dis- 
positions, and  you  and  their  mother  will  be  quite  out  of 
the  question  with  them,  because  they  understand  not 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  73 

that  the  will  of  the  Lord  is,  that  they  should  in  word 
and  deed  honour  their  father  and  mother.  You  teach 
them  to  serve  themselves  5  their  own  pleasure  and  their 
own  belly  is  their  god,  and  they  will  seek  after  them  as 
after  idols.  I  advise  you  seriously  to  think  of  this  be- 
fore it  be  too  late. 

He  seemed  to  ponder  my  words,  but  not  clearly  to 
comprehend  them ;  however,  as  I  saw  he  was  a  reflect- 
ing man,  I  led  away  my  young  friends,  and  left  him  to 
weigh  and  inquire  what  was  the  purport  of  them. 

There  were  two  young  girls  walking  our  way,  and 
they  seemed  engrossed  in  deep  conversation;  one  of 
them  opened  a  paper  very  carefully,  showing  the  con- 
tents to  the  other,  who  exclaimed — 

t 

"  Oh  !"  in  a  tone  of  wonderful  admiration. 

"  It's  not  pink,  it's  rose  colour.  Isn't  it  a  bonny  rib- 
bon ?  I  saw  Miss  Lucy  Grey's  bonnet  with  such  a  co- 
loured ribbon,  and  I  determined  with  my  next  money  to 
buy  such  an  one ;  the  man  in  the  shop  told  me  this  was 
off"  the  same  piece,  and  he  said  they  call  it  rose  colour. 
I've  sent  my  Sunday  bonnet  to  be  cleaned,  it  will  cost 
me  two  shillings,  but  I  don't  mind,  I  shall  earn  what  will 
pay  for  it.  Mother  said,  I'd  best  buy  a  new  petticoat, 
but  you  know  that  is  not  seen  /" 

"Oh,  Nanny!"  the  other  said,  "I  wish  my  mother 
would  let  me  have  my  own  earnings  ;  I'd  work  so  hard 
if  she  would,  and  then  I'd  buy  a  ribbon  like  it ;  but  she 
buys  everything  for  me,  and  she  likes  such  old  fash- 
ioned things,"  drawing  up  her  frock,  "  see,  I've  this 
'thick,  stuff  petticoat,  and  black  stockings,  and  a  pair  of 
strong  shoes,  and  another  such  a  pair  for  Sundays ;  she 
never  buys  me  smart  things." 
7 


74  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

"  Oh !  it's  best  to  have  your  money  for  yourself,  and 
then  you  can  do  as  you  like." 

We  all  listened  to  this  conversation,  and  as  they  stopt 
to  talk  further  on  the  subject,  we  passed  on  and  hastened 
home,  and  were  quite  ready  for  refreshment ;  during 
which,  the  children  related  all  the  occurrences  of  the 
morning  to  their  mother,  accompanied  with  very  dis- 
criminating observations,  and  my  own  mind  was  fur- 
nished with  a  key  to  some  species  of  disobedience  to 
parents,  which  had  often  surprised  me  before,  and  now 
especially  engaged  my  attention. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Cheerful  submission  to  parental  authority. — Allow- 
ance to  children. —  Corban. —  Grateful  and  measur- 
ed love,  honour,  and  support,  to  parents. 

The  next  morning  Louisa  reminded  me  of  the  old 
man,  by  saying — 

"  Remember  Thomas'  old  father,  uncle." 

Au.  With  pleasure ;  if  your  mamma  will  permit  it, 
we  will  go  this  morning. 

Louisa.    Will  you  consent,  mamma  ? 

Mrs. .    Defer  it  till  the  evening,  my  dears,  for  I 

do  not  like  you  totally  to  neglect  your  usual  avocations. 

"  But  perhaps  it  may  rain  in  the  evening,"  Charles 
said. 

Mrs. .  I  shall  be  sorry  if  you  should  be  disap- 
pointed, but  we  will  trust  to  the  event. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  75 

"  I  am  sure  it  will  rain,"  George  said,  with  a  little 
tone  of  impatience,  "  for  the  sky  has  clouded  in." 

Mrs. .    If  it  should,  my  dear  George,  you  will,  I 

hope,  know  how  to  bear  a  disappointment  of  your  own 
will,  which  would  arise  from  two  causes  that  are  not 
only  good,  but,  also,  beyond  your  control. 

George.    What  two  causes,  mamma? 

Mrs. .    First,  the  will  of  God,  who  sendeth  the 

rain ;  and  second,  the  will  of  your  mother,  who  desires 
your  regular  instruction. 

My  sister  had  a  particularly  happy  mode  of  blending 
an  affectionate  manner  with  a  firmness  of  purpose,  so 
that  while  her  children  felt  her  authority,  they  were  sen- 
sible of  her  kindness. 

Not  another  attempt  was  made  to  change  the  mind  of 
their  mother,  and  even  the  little  pet  which  had  assailed 
George,  wore  off,  and  they  were  soon  busily  and  cheer- 
fully engaged. 

I  took  the  opportunity  of  throwing  together  my  re- 
flections upon  the  incidents  of  the  morning,  and  of  in- 
vestigating the  operation  of  that  system  of  independent 
labour,  which  has  grown  into  such  general  use  amongst 
the  labouring  classes  of  society.  I  could  not  help  think- 
ing, that  however  plausible  the  plea  for  industry  sound- 
ed, it  sprung  from  a  corrupt  principle  of  greediness  for 
gain  in  the  parents,  which  substituted  a  selfish,  worldly 
motive  as  a  stimulus,  instead  of  a  godly  and  dutiful 
principle,  prompted  to  action  by  a  spirit  of  love.  It 
seemed  to  proceed  from  a  covetous  disposition  in  the 
parents,  desiring  to  make  a  gain  of  their  children,  and 
producing  the  same  feeling  in  them.  For  of  course, 
their  industry  would  be  tainted  with  a  lurking  covetous 
desire,  and  their  minds  occupied  with  the  calculation 


76  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

how  to  apportion  out  what  they  would  allow  their  pa- 
rents for  their  support,  so  as  to  pay  at  the  cheapest  rate. 
The  parent  and  child  thus  become  barterers  with  each 
other  for  personal  advantages,  derived  from  those  mutu- 
al acts  of  duty  and  relationship,  which  should  be  suffer- 
ed to  flow  spontaneously  in  the  channels  of  filial  and 
parental  love.  The  present  system  of  labour,  and  state 
of  society,  has  doubtless  suggested  this  plan.  In  instan- 
ces where  the  first  principles  of  love  to  God  are  laid, 
there  may  not  be  so  much  danger  of  corrupting  the 
finer  feelings  of  the  heart,  because  it  will  still  be  subser- 
vient to  the  duty  to  which  the  love  of  the  Lord  prompts ; 
but  where  this  is  wanting,  the  system  must  undoubtedly 
be  of  bad  and  prejudicial  influence ;  it  is  found  to  foster 
the  worst  of  feelings. 

I  know  a  man  who  is  able  to  earn  a  good  livelihood 
by  his  own  labour,  but  being  a  drunkard,  he  shows  that 
disposition  which  ranks  him,  in  the  Apostle's  view,  as 
worse  than  an  infidel ;  not  providing  for  his  own,  afford- 
ing neither  clothing  nor  food  to  his  children,  leaving 
them  to  earn  what  they  can,  independently  of  him,  and 
they  are  often  in  circumstances  of  absolute  want,  with- 
out moving  the  feelings  of  this  unnatural  father.  It  is 
no  uncommon  case  for  the  parent  to  lay  aside  all  sense 
of  obligation  to  his  child,  so  soon  as  he  is  able  to  earn 
his  own  bread,  and  of  course  the  child  disowns  all  bond 
to  his  parent ;  thus  the  family  bond  of  mutual  interest 
is  broken,  and  in  early  life  a  child  is  set  free  from  the 
parental  restraint,  so  needful  at  that  age ;  and  vice,  and 
selfishness,  and  dissipation,  and  licentious  freedom, 
bring  them  into  the  bondage  of  sin  and  death.  Alas ! 
how  many  houses,  which  should  be  the  dwellings  of 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  77 

harmony  and  love,  are  the  bitter  scenes  of  dissension 
and  misery. 

I  believe  this  system  has  its  influence  also  in  the  fami- 
lies of  the  opulent,  who  are  fond  of  giving  their  young 
children  the  idea  of  an  independent  income,  by  appor- 
tioning to  them  a  kind  of  allowance,  out  of  which  they 
are  to  provide  themselves  with  certain  articles  of  dress, 
&c.  &c,  stipulated  by  the  parent.  A  better  feeling 
would  be  inculcated  by  a  liberal  supply  out  of  the  gene- 
ral stock,  coming  as  daily  acts  of  love,  and  received  as 
such  by  the  child,  from  the  hand  of  a  kind  parent.  The 
supplies  should  be  liberal  in  proportion  to  the  circum- 
stances, so  as  to  unite  confidence  with  dependence ; 
openly  showing  them,  at  the  same  time,  that  they  are 
considered  as  entitled  to  a  share  in  all  the  parent's  pos- 
sessions. In  the  other  case,  they  take  as  a  right  the 
sum  allotted,  and  are  in  danger  of  losing  that  sweet  sense 
of  oneness  in  the  interests  of  home,  which  enlarges  the 
affections  to  each  other.  I  know  there  may  be  many 
arguments  alleged  for  the  other  system  ;  but  it  would  be 
well  to  investigate  the  principle  with  some  minuteness, 
and  see  whether  they  be  not  of  human  policy  and  world- 
ly origin,  without  any  regard  to  the  prime  test  of  all — 
whether  they  will  consist  with  the  obligation  of  the  fifth 
commandment. 

I  proposed  these  ideas  to  my  sister  during  a  moment 
of  leisure ;  and  she  said — 

"  I  have  had  the  same  kind  of  reflections,  though  I  do 
not  know  that  I  ever  deliberated  much  upon  them.  I 
am  of  opinion  that  the  plan  is  not  a  good  one,  being  at 
variance  with  those  filial  and  attached  dispositions  which 
we  ought  to  endeavour  to  cultivate.  We  desire  to  be  as 
liberal  to  our  children  as  our  circumstances  will  admit, 
7* 


78  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

both  in  the  supply  of  pocket-money,  and  in  the  proper 
apparel  for  their  station ;  wishing  in  these  respects  to 
establish  a  kind  of  equality,  only  preserving  the  recol- 
lection that  it  comes  from  the  hand  of  their  father." 

Au.    What  do  you  mean  by  equality  ? 

Mrs. .     Perhaps  I  did  not  use  a  good  expression, 

but  I  shall  give  you  a  better  idea  of  my  meaning,  if  I 
point  out  to  your  observation  the  profusion  of  decoration 
or  dress  which  a  mother  will  sometimes  adopt  for  her- 
self, with  little  attention  to  the  proper  habit  of  her  child; 
while  sometimes,  on  the  contrary,  the  lavish  supply 
given  to  decorate  a  child,  will  transgress  the  consistency 
of  station  or  religious  moderation.  I  do  not  think,  in 
our  children,  there  is  a  feeling  of  any  other  kind  on  this 
subject,  than  the  dependence  of  love,  and  their  father 
always  endeavours  to  impress  upon  their  young  minds 
the  observation  of  his  dependence  on  our  Father  in 
Jesus  Christ.  I  hear  him  sometimes  say,  "  I  am  able 
to  give  you  this,  my  children,  because  it  has  been  given 
to  me ;  I  possess  nothing  but  what  I  have  received ;  I 
ask  our  heavenly  Father  for  our  daily  bread,  he  gra- 
ciously gives  it  to  us,  and  I  can  thus  share  it  with  you ; 
He  supplies  the  young  ravens-with  food,  and  clothes 
the  lilies  of  the  field,  doth  he  not  much  more  feed  and 
clothe  us  1 " 

Au.  You  remind  me  of  Thomas'  remark,  that  he 
makes  his  children  like  little  partners  with  hhn. 

Mrs. .  It  is  true  that  children  ought  to  be  allow- 
ed to  feel  that  they  possess  the  privileges  and  interests 
of  their  parents'  house.  The  prosperity  or  adversity 
of  a  day,  equally  affecting  each  member  of  the  house- 
hold, because  all  are  alike  under  the  same  providential 
dispensation  of  the  Lord.    Thus  we  participate  in  each 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  79 

other's  feelings,  and  the  interests  of  their  hearts  are  in 
their  home,  looking  up  unto  the  Lord. 

I  once  observed  this  particularly  manifested  in  the 
conduct  of  a  sweet  girl,  the  daughter  of  an  intimate 
friend.  She,  upon  a  sudden  reverse  of  fortune,  was  ex- 
plaining to  the  child  the  necessity  of  using  economy  to 
a  greater  degree  than  was  customary ;  when  she  said, 
"  Oh,  mamma,  we  can  soon  do  that ;  I  am  glad  you  did 
not  buy  me  that  new  frock,  for  you  shall  see  how  nice  I 
will  make  my  old  one  by  new  hemming  it  at  the  bot- 
tom." It  soon  happened,  that  by  another  providence, 
such  as  the  Lord  in  his  goodness  sometimes  bestows, 
an  unexpected  accession  of  income  was  given ;  I  was 
there  at  the  time,  when  this  dear  girl's  eyes  sparkled 
with  gratitude,  as  her  mother  communicated  it,  and  she 
exclaimed,  "  How  good  the  Lord  is !  Now,  dear  mam- 
ma, you  can  afford  to  go  to  the  warm  baths  for  your 
health,  and  papa  will  be  made  happy  to  see  you  better;" 
then  she  modestly  added,  "  and  perhaps  you  can  let  me 
have  those  slates  and  books  I  wished  for,  for  my  little 
school."  This  is  the  kind  of  equality  and  partnership  I 
would  wish  to  have  between  me  and  my  dear  children. 

It  is  a  plan,  doubtless  full  of  comfort,  and  seems  to  in- 
culcate the  three  things  Thomas  spoke  of,  love,  honour, 
and  succour,  towards  the  parent. 

My  sister's  three  children  had  not  been  inattentive  to 
this  conversation,  and  having  put  away  their  books,  they 
drew  around  us  as  if  desiring  to  partake  in  this  privi- 
lege also ;  I  therefore  showed  my  readiness  to  meet  their 
wishes,  by  addressing  Charles.  \ 

Au.    What  do  you  think  on  the  subject,  Charles? 

Charles.  Oh,  I  am  so  happy  in  my  father's  plan,  that 
I  do  not  wish  for  any  other  ;  my  cousin  Frederick  has 


80  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

often  spoken  to  me  about  his  allowance,  and  said  that  I 
ought  now  to  be  put  upon  an  allowance.  I  cannot  un- 
derstand the  particular  pleasure  he  feels  in  it,  for  he 
says  he  never  can  make  it  do,  and  he  always  has  to  get 
his  debts  paid  by  his  father,  who,  he  says,  is  generally 
very  angry,  and  calls  him  extravagant;  but  notwith- 
standing, when  the  anger  subsides,  he  balances  all,  and 
begins  again  free. 

Au.  This  is  a  shocking  plan,  for  it  engenders  many 
bad  feelings  and  habits.  If  he  so  exceeds  his  allowance, 
he  becomes  an  extortioner  on  his  father's  purse.  He 
learns  to  be  extravagant  without  compunction.  He  in- 
curs a  burden  of  debt,  which  he  places  on  his  father's 
shoulders ;  and  he  becomes  discontented  with  the  por- 
tion allotted  to  him. 

"  Uncle,"  said  George,  "  shall  I  tell  you  what  I  thought 
of,  when  that  Dick  Johnson  talked  of  what  he  allowed 
his  mother  ?" 

Au.    Pray  do. 

George.  You  know  that  part  of  the  Gospel,  where 
our  Lord  speaks  about  the  Jews  making  void  the  law 
by  their  tradition  ;  who  said  to  their  father  and  mother, 
"  It  is  a  gift,  by  whatsoever  ye  may  be  profited  by  me." 

Au.  That  passage  deserves  our  careful  consideration, 
George,  and  I  am  glad  you  have  introduced  it ;  turn  to 
the  passage,  and  read  it. 

He  took  up  a  Bible,  and  opened  at  the  fifteenth  chap- 
ter of  Matthew,  and  read  the  third  verse — "  But  he  an- 
swered and  said  unto  them,  Why  do  ye  also  transgress 
the  commandment  of  God  by  your  tradition  ?  for  God 
commanded,  saying,  Honour  thy  father  and  mother; 
and,  He  that  curseth  father  or  mother,  let  him  die  the 
death.    But  ye  say,  Whosoever  shall  say  to  his  father 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.       81 

or  his  mother,  It  is  a  gift,  by  whatsoever  thou  mightest 
be  profited  by  me ;  and  honour  not  his  father  or  his 
mother,  he  shall  be  free.  Thus  have  ye  made  the  com- 
mandment of  God  of  none  effect  by  your  tradition. 

An.    Read  the  parallel  passage,  in  Mark  vii.  J 1,  12. 

"  But  ye  say,  If  a  man  shall  say  to  his  father  or  mo- 
ther, It  is  Corban,  that  is  to  say,  a  gift,  by  whatsoever 
thou  mightest  be  profited  by  me  ;  he  shall  be  free.  And 
ye  suffer  him  no  more  to  do  ought  for  his  father  or  his 
mother." 

Au.  It  is  a  remarkable  thing,  George,  that  to  this 
day  that  tradition  governs  them ;  for  they  disregarded 
these  admonitions  of  Christ,  whom  in  no  way  would 
they  have  to  reign  over  them.  I  am  told,  that  so  early 
as  at  eight  years  of  age,  both  boys  and  girls  are  permit- 
ted to  act  upon  this  plan,  nay,  even  compelled  to  do  so, 
and  that,  as  soon  as  by  begging  or  selling  any  wares, 
they  can  bring  a  small  sum  to  their  parents,  they  say, 
"  It  is  Corban,  or  a  gift ;  I  am  free" — and  the  parent  ac- 
cepts it  as  Corban,  and  thenceforth  the  bond  of  duty  and 
obedience  is  broken.  The  parent  chooses  to  suppose  the 
child  able  to  support  itself,  and  the  child  is  taught  to 
suppose  that  he  owes  no  further  allegiance  to  father  or 
mother.  The  consequence  is  evident  before  our  eyes, 
in  the  wretched  depravity,  and  ignorance,  and  degrada- 
tion of  the  poor  Jews :  who  wander  in  the  streets  of  the 
metropolis,  and  over  every  part  of  the  world,  destitute 
of  the  rights  of  parental  care,  and  destitute  of  that  sense 
of  duty  which  should  subsist  on  their  part  towards  their 
parents. 

George.  Will  you  tell  me  exactly,  uncle,  how  to  un- 
derstand that  which  they  add,  "by  whatsoever  thou 
mightest  be  profited  by  me." 


82  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Au.  In  this  way,  my  dear  George :  It  is  a  formal  re- 
nunciation of  the  duties  of  children  to  parents,  and 
shows  most  expressly  that  they  neither  love,  honour, 
nor  intend  to  succour  their  parents ;  they  thus  discharge 
themselves  from  all  obligations  of  conscience,  to  per- 
form the  duties  of  children.  "  It  is  a  gift,'"'  say  they,  "  by 
whatsoever  thou  mightest  be  profited  by  me;"  which  im- 
plies, "  You  have  no  claim  on  me,  no  right  to  any  help 
from  me.  What  I  give  to  3Tou,  henceforth,  will  be  out 
of  my  own  bounty,  and  whatever  benefit  I  render  to 
you,  will  be  a  gift,  and  not  a  duty."  So  they  not  only 
loose  the  bond  for  the  future,  but  they  acknowledge  no 
sense  of  gratitude  or  obligation  for  the  past.  It  is  affect- 
ing to  see  the  methods  adopted  by  sinners  to  evade  the 
law  of  God,  which  law  knows  no  period  at  which  the 
children's  duty  shall  terminate — it  exists  as  long  as  the 
relationship  stands. 

"Honour  thy  father  and  mother,"  saith  the  law,  and 
saith  the  Gospel  too.  It  proceeded  out  of  the  mouth  of 
Moses,  by  whom  came  the  law,  and  also  out  of  the 
mouth  of  Him  by  whom  came  grace  and  truth !  By 
"  Corban,"  they  make  the  commandment  of  God  of  none 
effect,  and  they  draw  very  near  to  that  point,  from 
which,  perhaps,  they  think  they  stand  clear : — "  He  that 
curseth  father  or  mother,  let  him  die  the  death."  It  is 
remarkable  that  the  Lord  combines  these  two  points, 
Mark  vii.  10,  "For  Moses  said,  Honour  thy  father  and 
thy  mother ;  and.  Whoso  curseth  father  or  mother,  let  him 
die  the  death."  He  knows  the  heart  of  man,  and  that  a 
child  once  losing  the  sense  of  duty,  love,  and  honour, 
towards  its  parents,  is  in  the  awful  way  of  cursing  them ; 
for  what  is  it  for  a  child  to  disown  the  parental  claim, 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  83 

but  to  say  that  they  are  willing  to  leave  them  to  what- 
ever miseries  may  overtake  them  ? 

How  dreadful  is  such  a  state  ! 

Beware,  my  dear  children,  and  watch  yourselves,  lest 
in  any  way  your  hearts  be  deceived  in  this  important 
matter  ;  remember  in  how  many  ways  you  are  permitted 
to  succour  your  father  and  mother ;  your  ready  obedi- 
ence, your  diligent  study,  your  kind  attention,  your  fili- 
al love,  are  all  methods  by  which  you  may  continually 
succour  them,  making  the  care  and  toil  of  your  educa- 
tion light,  remembering  their  injunctions,  and  not  trou- 
bling them  to  repeat  often  the  same  lesson  of  admoni- 
tion. When  you  conform  to  their  orders  or  rules,  as 
with  a  forced  compliance,  then  you  say,  "Corban!" 
When  you  think  much  of  your  own  obedience,  then  you 
say,  "  Corban  !"  not  having  the  generous  and  delightful 
sense  of  respect  and  love  for  their  desires,  which 
prompts  the  obedience  of  the  heart.  The  Jews,  by  their 
tradition,  said,  when  they  had  offered  their  gift,  or  Cor- 
ban, that  they  were  free,  as  though  the  bonds  of  duty 
were  a  chain  of  slavish  servitude.  But  the  Lord  re- 
minded them  of  what  the  law  said,  "  Let  him  die  the 
death" — let  him  receive  the  wages  of  sin. 

Here  my  sister  observed,  "  You  recollect,  Charles,  do 
you  not,  that  the  fifth  commandment  is  with  promise  ?" 

Charles.     Certainly. 

Au.  Then  observe  how  the  Jews  forfeited  that 
promise,  how  they  were  cut  off  from  the  land  of  Pro- 
mise, how  short  their  lives  were  in  that  land,  for  it  is 
evident  how  they  departed  from  the  law  of  their  father; 
and,  having  also  made  the  commandment  still  of  none 
effect,  having  filled  up  the  measure  of  their  sins  in  the 
rejection  of  Jesus,  they  were  utterly  cast  out  of  the 


84  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

i  „*  nf  nromise  It  is  still,  however,  a  land  of  pro- 
Zse  ffi into  which,  through  mercy  and  grace, 
fhey  shah  be  'gathered  again;  when  they ^re- 

*  Bnfdear  George,  to  return  to  your  first  observation 
on  the  conduct  of  Dick  Johnson,  I  agree  with  yo, .that 
though  not  by  a  tradition,  yet  it  is  by  a  scheme  of  ta- 

commandment  of  Go  of  none  effect.  You  aw  that 
the  commandment  was  out  of  the  question;  it  had  no 
effect  on  their  hearts  or  on  their  practice,  and  with  the 
vtn  of  a  spirit  of  konour,  there  is  most  ^ly  a  pre- 
paration for  a  spirit  of  hatred  in  the  breast  of  that  boy 
towards  his  mother.  .    ,     f 

Just  as  I  had  concluded  this  ^mark  a  Jivid  flash  o 
lightning  shot  across  the  room,  succeeded  by  a  tre 

au.    An,"      6  j  R  lest  t^e  command- 

aasss.  »jsa*  -  -  * 

nreToirrel°InesU,  but  with  a  beautifully  open 

sire  to  fawuwr  you !"        .  pleasure 

The  glistening  eye  of  his  mother  spoke  a  p 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  85 

boy,  formed  on  the  love  and  law  of  our  God  and  Fa- 
ther in  Jesus  Christ  ;  we  are  bound  to  each  other, 
and  we  feel  our  yoke  easy  and  light,  because  it  is  the 
yoke  of  Jesus. 

Charles.    It  will  rain  all  night,  brother. 

"  I  believe  it  will,"  he  cheerfully  replied,  "  and  per- 
haps all  to-morrow,  too." 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

Second  visit  to  Thomas''  cottage. —  The  two  truants. — 
Parents  should  mean  what  they  say. — Love  the  ful- 
filling of  the  Law. 

It  was  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  I  opened  my  eyes 
the  following  morning  upon  a  clear  and  brilliant  day. 
All  nature  seemed  in  animation  ;  and  I  felt  myself  rous- 
ed to  an  unusual  activity,  which,  when  we  met  at  the 
breakfast  table,  I  betrayed  by  proposing  the  question  to 
my  sister,  "  If  she  would  permit  us  to  go  that  morning 
to  the  gardener's  cottage?" 

She  smiled,  but  made  no  answer. 

Louisa  and  Charles  looked  towards  their  mother, 
waiting  her  reply ;  but  George  took  up  his  roll  and  be- 
gan to  cut  a  slice  off  from  it.  He  was,  however,  soon 
conscious  that  all  eyes  were  turned  on  him. 

He  looked  up  at  his  mother  with  perfect  confidence, 
saying,  "Just  as  you  please,  mother,  /  will  not  be 
1  free,'  and,  if  you  prefer  it,  will  wait  till  the  evening." 

Many  mothers  would  have  instantly  been  induced  to 
consent  to  the  morning  walk,  as  I  expected  she  would ; 
but  she  answered — 
8 


86  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

"  Very  well,  George,  then  we  will  defer  it  until  the 
evening." 

"  Very  well,"  he  readily  answered. 

I  own  I  was  surprised  at  her  determination,  but  soon 
perceived  its  wisdom ;  she  thus  put  the  profession  of 
her  boy  to  the  proof  whether  it  were  principle,  and  she 
also  did  that  which  was  very  important — proved  her  own 
confidence  in  his  sincerity. 

As  matters  stood,  I  found  I  should  not  have  my  com- 
panions until  evening,  and  determined  to  spend  my 
morning  in  calling  on  my  friends  and  seeking  opportu- 
nity for  further  conversation  on  our  interesting  subject. 
On  my  way  I  passed  through  the  village,  and  met  two 
boys,  who  scarcely  seemed  advancing,  so  slow  was  their 
tardy  step.  I  soon  understood  why,  by  seeing  a  man 
look  out  of  his  cottage  door,  who,  gathering  up  a  bit  of 
dry  dirt  from  the  ground,  threw  it  after  the  boys,  saying, 
in  a  tone  something  like  what  is  used  to  dogs — 

"  Get  away,  you  idle  dogs,  get  away  to  school." 

They  moved  a  degree  quicker,  without  looking  back, 
but  as  soon  as  they  came  to  a  corner  they  turned  to  see 
if  their  father  was  watching  them ;  and  finding  them- 
selves unobserved,  instead  of  turning  to  the  right,  which 
would  have  led  to  the  school,  they  crossed  quickly  to 
the  left  and  went  into  the  fields. 

I  was  impelled  to  follow  them ;  they  ran  quickly  along 
the  field,  and  getting  through  a  gap  in  the  hedge,  with 
which  they  seemed  well  acquainted,  I  lost  sight  of  them. 
It  was  not  long,  however,  before  I  came  up  with  them, 
for  they  had  seated  themselves  under  a  tree,  and  were 
sitting  in  silence.  One  was  pulling  up  the  grass  by  the 
roots,  and  the  other,  with  a  little  pocket  knife,  was  chip- 
ping out  pieces  of  the  bark  of  the  tree. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  87 

"  You  are  hard  at  work,  my  boys,"  I  said :  "  who  set 
you  to  these  jobs?" 

Boys.    Nay,  nobody. 

Au.    Why,  then,  do  you  work  at  them? 

Boys.    We're  not  working  at  'em. 

Au.     No  !  what  then  ? 

(They  made  no  reply,  but  proceeded  in  their  employ- 
ment, as  if  rather  ashamed,  and  yet  unwilling  to  be  con- 
strained to  cease.) 

I'll  tell  you  what,  lads :  You  see  this  field  belongs  to 
me,  and  I  may  as  well  set  you  your  work.  Now  do  you 
go  on  and  clear  all  this  spot  round  the  root  of  the  tree 
of  every  bit  of  grass  that  is  growing  there ;  and  you, 
cut  out  this  bark  half  way  round  the  tree  a  yard  high, 
and  dress  off  all  these  small  branches  which  are  grow- 
ing in  the  way. 

(No  sooner  had  I  said  it,  than  they  both  changed  their 
employment  :  the  one  began  to  cut  the  skin  off  his 
hand,  and  the  other  to  twist  the  piece  of  grass  he  held, 
as  though  he  were  intending  to  form  it  into  some  useful 
thing.) 

Why  do  you  stop  ?    Go  on. 

Boy.    You  don't  mean  what  you  say. 

Au.    Is  that  the  reason  you  stop  ? 

(They  looked  to  the  right  and  to  the  left,  as  if  they 
longed  for  an  escape.) 

I  believe  it  is  one  reason,  but  I  can  tell  you  another — 
.because  you  did  not  like  to  do  anything  called  work. 
And  I  can  tell  you  something  else — it  was  for  these  two 
reasons  you  did  not  go  to  school.  You  thought  your 
father  did  not  mean  what  he  said,  and  you  do  not  like 
work.  This  is  both  folly  and  wickedness.  That  em- 
ployment was  no  hardship  so  long  as  you  were  doing  it 


88  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

to  please  yourselves ;  and  what  would  your  father  say 
if  he  knew  you  were  playing  truant  ? 

Boy.  He  wouldn't  say  aught,  he  only  wanted  us  out 
of  the  way  because  uncle  Tom  was  come. 

Au.  But  what  would  he  have  said  after,  when  you 
went  home  ? 

Boy.  Nought — he  wouldn't  ha'  asked  where  we'd 
been. 

Au.    Suppose  I  tell  him  ? 

Boy.    Nay. 

Au.    Why? 

Boy.    'Cause  he'd  thump  us. 

I  was  struck  by  this  reasoning,  so  without  rule  or 
principle,  and  betraying  such  an  inconsistent  and  care- 
less bringing  up. 

Au.  Now  answer  me  three  questions.  You  ought  to 
love  work  ? 

"  Yes,"  they  unwillingly  said. 

An.  You  ought  to  think  your  father  meant  what  he 
said? 

Boys.    Yes. 

Au.    You  know  you  deserve  to  be  thumped  ? 

(No  answer.) 

Let  us  try  if  you  cannot  mend  your  ways.  Come 
along  with  me  and  I  will  take  you  to  school.  (I  took 
hold  of  their  hands,  but  they  stiffened  their  elbows  so 
strongly  that  I  could  not  raise  them  easily.) 

Come,  boys,  if  your  ideas  were  but  changed  to  think 
that  it  was  meant  you  should  go,  and  to  like  work,  you 
would  be  much  happier  there  than  under  the  tree,  in 
school-time. 

One  point  I  gained ;  they  found  /  did  mean  what  I 
said,  and  though  they  would  not  give  their  hand,  I  took 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  89 

them  by  the  shoulder,  and  thus  constrained  them  to 
move  on  the  way  they  should  go ;  and  I  could  not  help 
thinking  of  the  necessity  for  parents  to  exert  this  kind 
of  constraint  to  overcome  the  perverseness  of  disobedi- 
ence, and  the  proneness  to  discredit  the  purposes  of 
their  commands. 

Just  at  that  moment  my  friend  Mr.  Conway,  with 
his  daughter  Mary,  joined  me;  they  were  on  their  way 
to  my  house,  but,  seeing  my  engagement,  they  accom- 
panied me. 

We  were  soon  at  the  school  door,  and  I  felt  the 
shoulder  of  my  boys  shrink  from  under  my  hand,  as  if 
very  desirous  to  quit  the  grasp,  which  they  were  con- 
vinced, however,  by  the  trial,  could  not  be  effected; 
therefore  we  were  soon  in  the  presence  of  the  school- 
master, and  within  the  half  circle  formed  by  the  school- 
boys, who  were  at  that  moment  rehearsing  the  Church 
Catechism. 

The  master,  who  was  a  sensible  man  and  accustomed 
to  my  occasional  visits,  with  a  respectful  bow,  put  the 
book,  from  which  he  was  questioning  the  boys,  into  my 
hand,  signifying  his  desire  that  I  should  take  his  place; 
and  a  bow  of  the  head  from  all  the  boys  expressed  their 
respectful  readiness  to  acknowledge  the  authority  de- 
puted me. 

Au.  Before  I  commence,  let  me  see  these  two  boys 
put  in  the  place  which  belongs  to  them  in  the  class. 

"  I  wish,  Sir,"  the  master  said,  "  that  they  had  a  place 
they  could  call  their  own ;  but  they  are  in  the  habit  of 
neglecting  school,  and  they  always  contrive  to  be  absent, 
upon  some  lame  excuse,  on  the  day  for  the  catechism:  I 
do  not  think  they  know  a  word." 

Au.   Then,  as  they  have  no  place  in  the  general  class, 
8* 


90  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

we  must  leave  them  to  their  own  particular  distinction, 
of  standing  alone.  (And  very  awkward  and  ashamed 
did  they  look  when  they  found  themselves  separated 
from  the  little  flock,  and  made  so  conspicuous  for  their 
fault.) 

"  Will  you  allow  me,"  I  said  to  the  master,  "  to  ne- 
glect the  usual  order  of  the  questions,  and  to  select  a  few 
for  the  present  occasion  ?" 

Master.    By  all  means,  Sir. 

Turning  to  the  class,  I  asked,  "  What  is  yom  duty  to 
your  neighbour?" 

They  answered  in  the  manner  in  which  they  were 
taught,  not  by  one  taking  the  whole,  but  by  severally 
taking  up,  by  turn,  as  they  stood,  the  different  members 
of  the  answer,  thus:  My  duty  towards  my  neighbour  is 
— To  love  him  as  myself — To  do  unto  all  men  as  I  would 
they  should  do  unto  me — To  love,  honour,  and  succour 
my  father  and  my  mother — To  honour  and  obey  the 
king,*  and  all  that  are  put  in  authority  under  him — To 
submit  myself  to  all  my  governors,  teachers,  spiritual 
pastors,  and  masters — To  order  myself  lowly  and  rever- 
ently to  all  my  betters — 

Au.    Stop  there,  and  I  will  ask  you  some  questions. 

Do  you  know  to  what  commandment  this  explanation 
of  duty  belongs  ? 

Scholar.  Yes;  to  the  Fifth,  "  Honour  thy  father  and 
thy  mother." 

Au.    Observe,  it  is  called  your  duty  to  your  neigh- 


*  In  England,  where  these  children  went  to  school,  they  have  a  king 
to  govern  them,  which  they  think  the  best : — we  have  another  kind  of 
government  which  seems  to  us  the  best : — and  as  it  is  right  for  those  in 
England  to  teach  their  children  to  honour  their  ruler ;  so  we  teach  ours 
x>  "  honour  and  obey  the  civil  authority"  of  our  country. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  91 

hour,  because  every  relative  human  connection  is  in- 
cluded in  the  term  neighbour  ;  that  is,  all  others  beside 
yourself— father,  mother,  brother,  sister ;  king,  and  all  in 
authority,  such  as  magistrates,  public  officers,  rulers, 
governors,  teachers,  spiritual  pastors,  and  masters — 
they  are  all,  in  the  Scripture  sense,  neighbours,  our 
fellow  creatures  in  different  stations  of  life,  and  all  hav- 
ing a  claim  upon  us  for  that  behaviour  towards  them 
which  is  due  to  their  station,  or  which  we  owe  them 
upon  the  great  Scripture  principle,  Love. 

How  do  you  know  that  Love  is  the  first  principle  ? 

A  fine  boy,  who  stood  at  the  head  of  the  class,  an- 
swered— 

"  Because,  when  the  Pharisees  asked  our  Lord  Jesus, 
{ Which  is  the  great  commandment  in  the  law  V  he  an- 
swered so  as  to  show  that  Love  was  the  great  principle, 
both  towards  God  and  towards  our  neighbours.' 

Au.    Repeat  the  passage. 

Boy.  Matt.  xxii.  37—40.  u  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord 
thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and 
with  all  thy  mind.  This  is  the  first  and  great  command- 
ment ;  and  the  second  is  like  unto  it,  Thou  shalt  love 
thy  neighbour  as  thyself.  On  these  two  commandments 
bang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

Au.     Why  is  the  second  like  unto  the  first  ? 

Boy.    Because  of  its  principle,  which  is  also  Love. 

Au.  Why  do  all  the  law  and  the  prophets  hang  on 
these  two  commandments  ? 

Boy.  Because  "  Love  is  the  fulfilling  of  ,the  law." 
Rom.  xiii.  10. 

Au.  It  is  called  "  the  royal  law,"  James  ii.  8.  Royal 
means  kingly,  sovereign,  that  which  bears  the  rule  ;  so 
if  we  have  love  then  it  will  act  in  royal  power  over  all 


92  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

our  hearts,  and  subdue  all  to  itself,  all  rebellious  pas- 
sions. It  is  worth  your  while,  dear  boys,  to  remember 
what  is  this  royal  law,  because  then  you  will  under- 
stand what  is  to  govern  you  in  all  your  conduct  towards 
your  God  and  towards  your  neighbour. 

Do  )'ou  remember  what  it  was  by  which  the  Lord 
convicted  the  Pharisees  of  coming  short  of  the  law  ? 

Boy.  Yes.  "  Ye  pass  over  judgment  and  the  love  of 
God."  Luke  xi.  42. 

Au.  Whence  comes  Love  into  the  hearts  of  the  chil- 
dren of  God  ? 

Boy.  From  God.  "  God  is  Love,"  1  John  iv.  8. ; 
"  Love  is  of  God,"*  1  John  iv.  7. ;  and  in  Rom.  v.  5.  it 
is  written,  "  The  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us." 

I  turned  to  the  second  boy,  and  said,  "  How  much  are 
you  to  love  your  neighbour  ?  " 

2nd  Boy.    To  love  him  as  myself. 

Au.    How  are  you  to  make  proof  of  that  love? 

2nd  Boy.  To  do  unto  others  as  I  would  they  should 
do  unto  me. 

Au.  Now  take  notice  of  these  several  parts  we  ought 
to  perform  in  this  our  duty  to  our  neighbour.  I  begin 
with  your  betters,  as  they  are  called ;  which  means  all 
your  superiors  of  whatever  station.  If  you  yourself 
were  among  the  class  of  superiors,  or  betters,  how 
would  you  think  it  right  that  others  should  behave  to 
you? 

(He  di  1  not  answer,  being  a  little  puzzled,  but  a  quick, 
intelligent  boy,  lower  in  the  class,  said,) 

*  And  so  we  pray  God,  in  the  Collect  for  the  viith  Sunday  after  Trini- 
ty, that  he  will  "graft in  our  hearts  the  love  of  his  name;"  and  so  "in- 
crease in  us  true  religion." 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  93 

3d  Boy,    Lowly  and  reverently. 

Au.  Right,  that  means  respectfully  and  dutifully ; 
then  as  you  know  how  you  would  they  should  do  to 
you,  therefore  do  you  so  to  them.  Elders  and  old  men 
are  to  be  considered  as  among  your  betters,  on  account 
of  their  age  and  experience.  Have  you  any  Scriptures 
to  direct  you  ? 

3d  Boy.  Yes ;  Lev.  xix.  32,  "  Thou  shalt  rise  up  be- 
fore the  hoary  head,  and  honour  the  face  of  the  old  man." 
1  Peter  v.  5,  "  Likewise,  ye  younger,  submit  yourselves 
unto  the  elder ;  yea,  all  of  you  be  subject  one  to  another, 
and  be  clothed  with  humility." 

Au.  Suppose  you  were  a  master,  how  would  you 
desire  to  be  behaved  to  ? 

They  had  caught  the  idea  I  wished  to  convey  to  them, 
and  several  answered  at  once — 

"  To  be  submitted  to." 

Au.  What  Scripture  have  you  to  prove  that  servants 
ought  to  submit  to  their  masters  ? 

Boy.  1  Peter  ii.  18,  "  Servants,  be  subject  to  your 
masters  with  all  fear ;  not  only  to  the  good  and  gentle, 
but  also  to  the  fro  ward."  Eph.  vi.  5,  "  Servants,  be 
obedient  to  them  that  are  your  masters  according  to  the 
flesh,  with  fear  and  trembling,  in  singleness  of  your  heart, 
as  unto  Christ."    And  also  Titus  ii.  9,  10. 

Au.  Then  if  you  are  a  servant,  remember  by  this 
rule  how  you  are  to  behave  to  your  master,  even  as 
you  would  it  should  be  done  unto  you. 

But  suppose  you  were  a  spiritual  pastor,  that  is,  a 
minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  appointed  as  a 
shepherd  to  a  flock,  how  would  you  desire  that  the  flock 
should  behave  to  you  ? 

Boy.    The  same — to  be  submitted  to. 


94  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Au.  Have  you  any  Scripture  to  prove  this  to  be 
right  ? 

Boy.  Yes ;  I  Cor.  iv.  1,  "  Let  a  man  so  account  of  us 
as  of  the  ministers  of  Christ,  and  stewards,  of  the  mys- 
teries of  God."  And  the  Apostle  teaches  us  in  1  Thess. 
v.  12,  13,  "  to  know  them  which  labour  among  you,  and 
are  over  you  in  the  Lord,  and  admonish  you ;  and  esteem 
them  very  highly  in  love  for  their  work's  sake." 

Au.  Remember,  then,  by  these  rules,  how  you  ought 
to  behave  to  your  spiritual  pastors,  the  ministers  of 
Christ. 

And  suppose  you  were  a  teacher  how  would  you  be 
behaved  to  ? 

Boy.    The  same — submitted  to. 

Au.  Yes,  but  you  observe  by  the  Scripture  rules  you 
give  me,  that  there  is  a  particular  kind  of  submission 
to  be  rendered,  according  as  each  station  or  office  re- 
quires. Have  you  any  Scripture  to  direct  you  in  this 
instance  1 

They  were  not  ready  with  an  answer :  I  encouraged 
them,  therefore,  with  a  little  help.  "  That  may  be  ap- 
plied," I  said,  "  to  this  case  which  is  written  in  1  Tim. 
v.  17,  '  Let  the  elders  that  rule  well  be  counted  worthy 
of  double  honour,  especially  they  who  labour  in  the 
word  and  doctrine.'  For  if  you  look  to  1  Cor.  xii.  28, 
you  will  see  that  God  himself  sets  teachers  in  the 
Church,  amongst  the  other  offices;  and  if  you  turn  to 
Proverbs  v.  12,  13,  you  will  see  an  affecting  expression 
of  lamentation  for  evil  that  is  sure  to  come  on  them  that 
do  not  submit  to  their  teachers:  '  How  have  I  hated  in- 
struction, and  my  heart  despised  reproof;  and  have  not 
obeyed  the  voice  of  my  teachers,  nor  inclined  mine  ear 
to  them  that  instructed  me ! '    That  you  may  not  have 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  95 

this  bitter  lamentation  to  make,  remember,  dear  boys, 
in  the  days  of  your  youth,  to  submit  yourselves  to  your 
teachers." 

Au.  But  there  is  still  another  office,  that  of  govern- 
ors: How  would  you  that  others  should  behave  to  you, 
were  you  a  governor  ? 

Boy.    The  same — to  be  submitted  to. 

Au.  Governors,  in  this  place,  means : — those  who  have 
the  authority  over  you  in  particular,  such  as  your  pro- 
tectors, instructers,  rulers ;  for  each  child  is  in  the  situ- 
ation of  having  some  one  who  has  the  chief  government 
over  him — such  as  the  stewards  who  may  be  placed  over 
them,  masters  of  apprentices,  guardians  to  Whom  they 
may  be  committed,  the  governors  and  governesses  of 
schools,  or  of  asylums,  or  of  societies,  of  charities,  of 
hospitals ;  that  is,  the  persons  who  are  in  the  supreme 
authority  for  these  temporary  purposes.  To  these  you 
must  submit.  I  will  give  you  a  text  for  your  direction. 
Turn  to  1  Pet.  ii.  13,  "  Submit  yourselves  to  every  or- 
dinance of  man  for  the  Lord's  sake." 

The  next  branch  of  your  duty  to  your  neighbour  is 
to  all  who  are  in  places  of  authority  in  the  government 
of  your  country. 

If  you  were  a  ruler,  a  President,  or  a  Governor,  for 
instance,  how  would  you  that  men  should  do  unto  you  ? 

Boy.    Honour  and  obey  me. 

Au.  If,  being  a  ruler,  you  had  put  others  in  authori- 
ty under  you,  how  would  you  desire  that  men  should 
show  they  honoured  and  obeyed  you  ? 

Boy.    By  honouring  and  obeying  them. 

Au.  If  you  were  not  chief  ruler,  but  one  put  in  au- 
thority by  the  chief  ruler  how  would  you  that  men 
should  do  to  you  ? 


96  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Boy.    Honour  and  obey  me. 

Au.  Do  you  remember  how  the  Centurion  described 
the  honour  and  obedience  he  received  from  them  that 
were  under  him  ? 

Boy.  Yes,  Matt.  viii.  9,  "/ama  man  under  autho- 
rity; having  soldiers  under  me  ;  and  I  say  to  this  man, 
'  Go,'  and  he  goeth ;  and  to  another,  '  Come,'  and  he 
cometh ;  and  to  my  servant,  '  Do  this,'  and  he  doeth  it." 

Au.  True,  it  was  on  a  particularly  interesting  occa- 
sion when  the  Centurion  related  this,  to  show  how  he 
understood  that  diseases  and  all  things  were  under  the 
authority  of  the  Lord  ;  but  it  serves  to  show  us  the  obe- 
dience due  to  authorities.  You  can,  perhaps,  give  me 
some  other  text  ? 

Boy.  Titus  iii.  1,  "  Put  them  in  mind  to  be  subject  to 
principalities  and  powers,  to  obey  magistrates." 

Au.  What  does  the  Scripture  say  of  our  duty  to  the 
king  ?  * 

Boy.     1  Peter  ii.  17,  "  Honour  the  king." 

Au.  I  would  have  you  remark,  that  that  text  is  preceded 
by  other  branches  of  this  duty,  and  the  duty  to  God  ;  it 
stands  thus,  "  Fear  God,  honour  the  king."  And  I  be- 
lieve it  adduces  the  fear  of  God  as  the  motive  for 
honouring  the  king  ;  because,  if  we  look  at  Rom.  xiii. 
1,  2,  we  see  how  the  duty  to  earthly  superiors  is  enjoin- 
ed.   Read  it. 

Boy.  "  Let  every  soul  be  subject  to  the  higher  pow- 
ers. For  there  is  no  power  but  of  God.  The  powers 
that  be  are  ordained  of  God.  Whosoever,  therefore, 
resisteth  the  power,  resisteth  the  ordinance  of  God  j 

*  That  is,  "the  chief  power  of  the  land,"  "  the  higher  power,"  "the 
power  that  is,"  whatever  it  may  be  calkd. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  97 

and  they  that  resist  shall  receive  to  themselves  damna- 
tion." 

Au.  I  gave  yon  a  part  of  a  text  in  1  Peter  ii.  13 ; 
if  you  give  me  now  the  whole,  you  will  find  it  to  sum 
up  all  these  duties  according  to  the  same  rule.    Read  it. 

Boy.  "  Submit  yourselves  to  every  ordinance  of  man 
for  the  Lord's  sake :  whether  it  be  to  the  king,  as  su- 
preme ;  or  unto  governors,  as  unto  them  that  are  sent 
by  him,  for  the  punishment  of  evil-doers,  and  for  the 
praise  of  them  that  do  well.    For  so  is  the  will  of  God." 

Au.  Now  you  see,  dear  boys,  I  have  been  working  up- 
wards, beginning  with  the  lower  degrees,  and  coming  up 
to  the  higher,  and  thus  I  have  proceeded  from  the  master 
to  the  sovereign  ruler.  But  there  is  a  higher  still,  which  is 
that  of  duty  to  parents,  second  only  to  that  we  owe  to 
God,  and  which  the  Lord  places  immediately  after  the 
four  commandments  which  relate  to  our  duty  to  him. 
The  fifth  commandment  stands  simply  thus,  "Honour 
thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long 
in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee."  It  is 
a  branch  of  our  duty  to  our  neighbour,  which  the  Lord 
calls  the  second  commandment,  on  account  of  its  follow- 
ing the  first  duties  to  God. 

If  you  were  a  father,  how  would  you  that  your  chil- 
dren should  do  unto  you? 

Boy.    Love,  honour,  and  succour  me.     . 

Au.  "  As  ye  would  that  it  should  be  done  unto  you 
do  ye  even  so."  Now  I  have  these  two  boys  standing 
here,  who,  by  their  conduct  this  morning,  seem  neither 
to  love,  nor  honour,  nor  succour  their  father  and  mother. 
(They  reddened  at  this  unexpected  application  to  their 
case.  I  looked  toward  them,  and  said  it  was  very  wick- 
ed.) You  know  enough  to  understand  you  deserved  to 
9 


98  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

be  "  thumped?  but  if  you  will  listen  a  little  now,  you 
will  perhaps  learn  what  you  never  knew  before,  espe- 
cially as  you  have  not  submitted  yourselves  to  your 
governor,  the  master  of  this  school,  in  order  to  being 
taught.  I  shall  be  very  glad  if  you  learn  so  as  to  be- 
come obedient  boys. 

Now,  remark,  how  engaging  the  duty  of  children  to 
parents  is  made  by  these  terms.  It  is  not  put  upon  bare 
submission,  like  your  duty  to  other  ranks ;  it  is  not  mere- 
ly that  honour  and  obedience  which  you  owe  to  the  rulers 
of  your  country,  as  the  principal  rank  of  men ;  but  it  is  to 
love,  to  honour,  and  to  succour  them.  You  are  to  love 
all  men,  but  you  are  to  have  double  love  for  your  pa- 
rents ;  they  are  entitled  to  love  as  neighbours  or  fellow- 
creatures,  but  they  are  also  entitled  to  further  love  as 
your  parents.  They  stand  in  the  manifold  capacities 
of  master,  teacher,  governor,  and  of  parents  also ;  there- 
fore, the  honour  due  unto  them  in,  reverence  and  sub- 
mission is  double.  You  are  appointed  to  do  good  unto 
all  men ;  but  you  are  especially  to  succour  your  parents, 
in  whatever  way  they  require  it,  and  according  to  the 
means  within  your  power. 

Have  you  any  Gospel  rules  which  confirm  and  esta- 
blish this  fifth  commandment  of  the  law  ? 

Boy.  Yes,  Matt.  xv.  4,  and  Mark  vii.  10 ;  in  which 
passages  our  Lord  Jesus  says,  "  God  commanded,  say- 
ing, Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother;"  and  in  Matt. 
xix.  19,  and  Luke  xviii.  20,  "  Honour  thy  father  and 
thy  mother :"  and,  "  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as 
thyself." 

Au.     Have  you  any  more  1 

Boy.  Yes ;  the  Apostle  Paul,  in  Eph.  vi.  2,  writes, 
"  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  which  is  the  first 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  99 

commandment  with  promise ;"  and  Col.  iii.  20,  "  Chil- 
dren, obey  your  parents  in  all  things,  for  this  is  well- 
pleasing  to  the  Lord."  Heb.  xii.  9,  "  We  had  fathers 
of  the  flesh,  which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them 
reverence?'' 

Au.  Turn  also  to  Lev.  xix.  3,  "  Ye  shall  fear  every 
man  his  mother  and  his  father ;"  and  Prov .  i.  8,  "  My 
son,  hear  the  instruction  of  thy  father,  and  forsake  not 
the  law  of  thy  mother." 

This  fifth  commandment  is  then  fully  confirmed  to 
you  throughout  the  Scriptures ;  and  much  more  might 
now  be  said  in  further  proof  of  it,  but  this  is  enough  for 
the  present. 

Let  me  put  a  question  to  your  consciences,  which  I 
desire  you  to  attend  to,  and  answer  in  your  heart  to 
God.  Have  you  endeavoured  to  fulfil  this  command  in 
your  duty  to  your  parents  ?  or  have  you  been  heedless 
of  it,  and  behaved  like  those  who  will  have  nothing 
to  do  with  the  Lord  ?  By  bad  conduct,  living  like 
children,  who  trouble,  despise,  and  hate  their  father 
and  mother  1 

(I  paused  some  time,  and  then  said,)  If  your  heart 
condemn  you,  God  is  greater  than  your  heart,  and 
knoweth  all  things  !  If  your  heart  is  moved  with  desire 
to  honour  them,  seek  the  love  of  God,  and  then  you 
will  love,  honour,  and  succour  your  father  and  mother  ! 
Look  unto  Jesus,  who,  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  was 
subject  unto  his  parents.  See  how  he  loved,  honoured, 
and  succoured  his  mother,  even  when  he  hung  on  the 
cross,  and  secured  her  earthly  comforts  beyond  that  pe- 
riod, by  giving  her  to  the  care  of  his  beloved  Apostle, 
John,  forming  them  in  the  bonds  of  son  and  mother ! 
Can  you  repeat  the  passage  7 


100  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Boy.  John  xix.  26,  27,  "  When  Jesus  therefore  saw 
his  mother  and  the  disciple  standing  by  whom  he  loved, 
he  saith  unto  his  mother,  Woman,  behold  thy  son  ! 
Then  saith  he  to  the  disciple,  Behold  thy  mother  !  and 
from  that  hour  that  disciple  took  her  unto  his  own 
home." 

Au.  I  have  now  only  this  more  to  say  at  present. 
Remember  it  is  the  first  commandment  with  promise, 
and  that  obedience  to  parents  is  well-pleasing  to  the 
Lord.  Therefore,  "children  obey  your  parents  in  the 
Lord,  for  this  is  right  j"  (saying  which,  I  looked  at 
Mary,  who  smiled  to  have  the  lecture  closed  with  her 
rule.) 

The  morning  was  now  spent,  and  we  withdrew,  leav- 
ing my  two  truants  to  such  reflection  as  might  be  sug- 
gested by  the  occasion,  setting  them  all  at  liberty  to  re- 
turn home  and  be  put  to  the  proof  whether  they  did 
love,  honour,  and  succour  their  father  and  mother ;  and 
inviting  my  friend  and  his  daughter  to  join  us  in  the 
evening  to  converse  with  the  gardener's  old  father,  we 
severally  went  on  our  way. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  first  principle  of  Education. — Effects  of  set- 
ting before  children  wrong  jnotives  for  obedience. 
— Old  Thomas''  plan  of  Education. 

On  my  return  home,  I  found  my  neighbours,  Mrs. 
Aston  and  Mrs.  Bennet,  both  waiting  my  arrival,  and 
with  them  their  two  daughters,  Anna  and  Maria ;  they 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  101 

were  in  the  midst  of  conversation  with  my  sister,  who 
had  received  them  in  my  absence,  and  were  much  pleas- 
ed at  my  appearance.  Mrs.  Aston  immediately  address- 
ed me  without  any  of  the  usual  introductory  formalities, 
saying,  "  We  are  deep  in  the  subject,  my  dear  friend, 
which  you  have  presented  to  us  in  so  serious  and  inter- 
esting a  manner,  and  I  hope  I  have  gained  much  in- 
struction from  what  your  sister  also  has  said,  that  it  is 
a  first  principle  of  education  to  direct  our  children  to 
God." 

An.  May  I  take  the  liberty  of  correcting  the  form 
of  your  observation,  by  changing  the  little  indefinite  ar- 
ticle into  the  definite,  and  instead  of  saying,  a  first  prin- 
ciple, that  you  should  say,  the  first  principle.  There  is 
but  one  first  principle,  and  on  that  our  minds  ought  to 
be  simply  fixed.  If  we  uprightly  acknowledge  but  one, 
we  shall  then  be  guarded  against  the  vain  intrusion  of 
any  other  in  its  place.  When  the  mind  of  the  parent 
wavers  in  the  leading  motive,  or  first  principle,  her 
counsels  will  be  uncertain,  and  her  child  will  not  be  es- 
tablished. 

Mrs.  Aston.  Thank  you  ;  I  wish  you  would  always 
take  this  liberty ;  for  by  this  friendly  promptness  to  seize 
the  occasion,  you  may  strengthen  and  instruct  me  ex- 
ceedingly :  this  remark  will  not  be  lost. 

The  young  people  requested  permission  to  go  together 
into  the  garden  whilst  our  visiters  remained,  which  be- 
ing granted,  we  had  the  opportunity  of  canvassing  the 
state  of  Anna  and  Maria. 

Mrs.  Aston,  whose  heart  was  full,  said,  "Now  I  will 
tell  you  how  I  have  proceeded  with  Anna;   for  I  have 
found  there  was  no  time  to  lose.     Her  habits  of  selfish- 
ness and  indolence  were  increasing  to  such  an  alarming 
9* 


102  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

height,  that  if  not,  by  timely  remedy,  corrected,  she  will 
be  a  misery  to  herself  and  all  connected  with  her.  On 
our  way  from  your  house,  we  were  both  silent.  My 
heart  was  filled  with  conviction  and  anxiety,  and  I  think 
if  ever  I  prayed  to  God  for  help  for  the  future  and  par- 
don for  the  past,  I  did  so  during  that.  time.  How  Anna 
was  affected  I  do  not  know ;  it  was  natural  she  should 
be  silent,  seeing  my  mind  occupied,  and  feeling,  herself, 
perhaps,  under  a  sense  of  something  wrong.  She  com- 
plained of  fatigue,  and  wished  to  retire  to  bed.  I  accom- 
panied her  to  her  room,  and  opened  my  mind  fully  to 
her  on  the  subject,  and  as  near  as  I  can  recollect,  I  will 
relate  our  conversation. 

" '  My  dear  Anna,  it  will  not  be  many  days  before  you 
will,  if  it  please  God,  be  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  my 
mind  is  filled  with  distress  when  I  reflect  on  the  num- 
ber of  years  which  have  passed  since  the  Lord's  mercy 
gave  you  into  my  arms,  without  my  having  performed 
my  duty  to  God  in  attending  to  my  duty  to  you,  and 
teaching  you  your  duty  in  the  Lord.  I  begin,  my  dear, 
with  condemning  myself,  that  you  may  see  I  desire  to 
be  humbled  before  God,  and  that  I  take  all  the  blame 
of  your  misconduct,  which  so  constantly  distresses  me, 
on  myself.  It  is  a  fit  punishment,  if,  through  mistake 
or  ignorance,  I  have  neglected  to  give  you  the  right 
principle  of  obedience. 

" '  Anna.  I  don't  know,  mamma ;  but  I  think  it  is 
very  hard  if  I  am  always  to  be  thought  wrong,  when 
you  know  how  often  papa  and  you  have  rewarded  me 
for  doing  well. 

" '  Mrs.  Aston.  That  is  one  of  our  great  faults,  that 
we  have  bribed  you  to  do  things  by  promised  gifts,  in- 
stead of  teaching  you  to  do  them,  as  to  the  Lord,  in 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  103 

obedience.  You,  in  consequence,  are  become  greedy  of 
gifts,  and  covetous,  and  selfish,  and  we  have  been  the 
unhappy  instruments  of  making  you  so,  and  of  robbing 
you  of  nobler  motives  of  action. 

" '  Anna.  Mr.  Harris  talked  a  great  deal  about  love, 
but  I  am  sure  I  always  loved  you  when  you  gave  me  so 
many  pretty  things,  and  though  I  wanted  the  gold  chain, 
it  was  not  that  I  did  not  love  papa's  picture. 

"' Mrs.  Aston.  No,  Anna;  but  did  you  love  papa 
when  you  found  the  gold  chain  was  not  in  the  box  1 
Did  you  honour  him  when  you  found  he  had  disap- 
pointed you  ? 

"  c  Anna.  It  was  only  just  then  that  I  was  vexed ;  I 
honour  and  love  him  now. 

"  \  Mrs.  Aston.  I  shall  think  you  do  so,  Anna,  so  soon 
as  you  attend  to  your  studies  and  our  wishes,  for  the 
desire  of  pleasing  us  by  your  good  conduct,  without 
wanting  any  other  reward. 

" '  Anna.  It  is  very  hard,  mamma,  and  if  Mr.  Harris 
had  not  made  any  remarks,  you  would  never  have 
thought  anything  about  it. 

" '  Mrs.  Aston.  We  owe  him  much  for  these  remarks, 
and  I  hope,  my  dear  child,  it  will  not  be  long  before  you 
will  learn  to  feel  how  much  we  owe  him.  All  I  mean 
to  say  now,  is  to  prepare  you  for  a  complete  change  of 
conduct ;  and  whilst  I  ask  for  help  from  the  Lord,  I  will 
pray  for  a  blessing  on  you ;  I  see  it  is  to  him  only  we 
must  look.'    Thus  we  parted  for  the  night. 

"  The  next  morning  she  was  backward  to  commence 
any  study,  though  I  reminded  her  several  times;  at  last 
she  said,  '  Will  you  take  a  walk  with  me  when  I  have 
done?' 

"'I  make  no  engagement,  Anna,'  I  said,  c  dependent 


104  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

on  your  duty.  You  know  what  I  have  determined  on 
that  point.'  She  took  up  some  of  her  books,  and  did  a 
little,  and  at  the  usual  hour  put  them  all  by. 

"  This  morning  was  something  of  the  same  reluctant 
spirit.  She  practised  her  music,  but  I  observed  that 
piece  which  was  to  earn  the  gold  chain  was  entirely  ne- 
glected. I  have  been  so  far  firm,  and  I  wish  to  try  what 
she  will  do.  I  fear  she  expects  to  re-establish  the  old 
system  when  her  father  returns.  It  is  a  relief  to  my 
mind  that  Mrs.  Bennet's  call  enabled  me  to  accompany 
her  here.    Now,  will  you  favour  me  with  your  advice  ? 

Au.  It  is  my  duty  so  to  do,  and  it  will  be  my  plea- 
sure, provided  I  may  be  assured  of  one  thing. 

Mrs.  Aston.    Is  it  anything  dependent  upon  me? 

Au.  Yes,  it  is  this ;  Will  you  not  only  say  you  allow 
me  the  privilege  of  stating  fully  my  mind  on  the  whole 
subject,  but  will  you  also  hot  feel  offended  if,  in  endea- 
vouring to  counsel  you  to  correct  your  child,  you  find 
these  counsels  connected  intimately  with  the  correction 
of  your  own  heart  ? 

Mrs.  Aston.  I  will  endeavour  to  feel  what  I  now  say, 
that  I  will  be  thankful  for  whatever  you  may  address  to 
me  of  this  description. 

Au.  Very  well ;  to  this  I  trust.  You  are  both  in  a 
very  critical  moment.  You  are  pledged  to  her  and  to 
God  to  change  your  whole  S3^stem,  and  she  is  in  a  sus- 
pense whether  really  that  system  is  to  be  wholly  chang- 
ed. It  is  not  easy  to  make  and  to  establish  a  complete 
change  of  principle  and  motive,  especially  when  that 
change  is  to  be  of  a  religious  nature.  The  whole  bent 
of  the  natural  mind  will  be  against  it,  and  you  will  both 
require  a  renewed  mind.  The  right  training  of  a  child 
must  begin  with  the  right  feeling,  purpose,  and  appre- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  105 

hension  of  the  parent ;  and  you  will  perceive,  therefore, 
that  as  you  have  hitherto  been  without  them,  you  have 
now,  in  the  first  instance,  to  seek  them  for  yourself;  and 
you  must  be  careful  whilst  you  desire  to  expel  the  bad 
principles,  that  you.  endeavour  to  occupy  with  good. 
The  heart  swept,  and  even  garnished  with  some  new 
decorations,  is  in  a  desolate  and  dangerous  state,  unless 
it  become  inhabited  by  tire  Lord,  and  ornamented  by 
the  graces  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Spirits  more  wicked 
and  subtle  than  the  first  may  take  possession,  and  the 
last  state  be  worse  than  the  first.  And  if  you  should 
take  up  this  duty  from  human  feeling  only,  using  the 
plea  of  a  religious  motive  merely  as  a  help  to  obtain  a 
selfish  end,  and  your  child  should  acquiesce  meiely 
because  she  cannot  resist  it,  then  you  will  gain  no  solid 
or  permanent  advantage  j  selfishness  will  always  seek 
its  rest  in  self. 

Mrs.  Aston.    Then  how  must  I  act  ? 

Au.  Watch  your  child's  feelings ;  at  present  she  is 
in  the  situation  of  the  man  who  lamented,  "  You  have 
taken  away  my  gods,  and  what  have  I  left?"  She  is 
sullen  and  reserved,  her  stimulus  for  exertion  is  taken 
away,  and  she  has  not  that  love  and  honour  for  you 
which  would  compensate  the  loss. 

Mrs.  Aston.    But  again  I  ask,  how  must  I  act? 

Au.  You  must  endeavour  both  to  feel  and  communis 
cate  the  love  of  God  j  especially  inculcate  his  love  to  us 
as  manifested  in  Jesus  ;  take  every  opportunity  afforded 
by  passing  circumstances,  or  by  the  perusal  of  your  Bi- 
ble, to  illustrate  and  exhibit  it ;  and  show  that  you  are 
sensible  of  that  love  by  frequent  acts  of  prayer  to  Him, 
which  will  demonstrate  that  you  are  persuaded  of  it — 
and  by  constant  reference  to  His  will  in  all  you  do  for 


106  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

her,  or  direct  her  to  do.  In  one  word — Let  all  you  do 
be  in  the  Lord,  and  then  your  labour  will  not  be  in 
vain. 

Mrs.  Aston.  I  am  certainly  aware  that  this  has  not 
been  my  system,  or  rather,  I  am  ashamed  to  say,  my 
intent.  I  have  endeavoured  to  carry  on  some  religious 
instruction  in  a  general  way;  but  even  this  could  net  be 
done  without  bribery.  • 

Au.  The  worst  effect  of  bribery  is  that  of  suffering  a 
child  to  suppose  itself  entitled  to  reward  on  the  ground 
of  merit.  This  is  the  first  principle  of  Pharisaism,  and 
ought  to  be  for  ever  crushed  by  the  scriptural  truth, 
constantly  brought  forward — that  even  had  we  done  all, 
we  still  remain  unprofitable  servants,  have  done  nothing 
more  than  our  duty.  The  inward  pleasure  of  a  happy 
conscience  will  grow  up  out  of  the  blessed  habit  of  en- 
deavouring to  serve  the  Lord.  Presumption  will  be 
checked  by  the  revealing  of  sin  in  our  manifold  short- 
comings ;  and  confidence  and  peace  will  spring  up  from 
the  knowledge  of  the  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  sprinkling; 
and  then  the  meaning  of  that  sweet  expression  is  learnt, 
"  Thy  commandments  have  I  loved,"  and,  "  In  keeping 
of  them  there  is  great  reward." 

Mrs.  Aston.  Alas!  I  fear  this  is  a  long  and  tedious 
work  to  accomplish. 

Au.  To  see  the  full  accomplishment,  we  must  needs 
wait  with  the  patience  of  hope,  and  begin  without  loss 
of  time  to  redeem  the  past,  and  set  ovt,  at  least,  in  the 
way  we  should  go ;  the  path  is  clear  and  direct,  and  as- 
suredly leads  to  the  blessed  end.  "Enter  ye  in,"  saith 
the  Lord,  "  at  the  strait  gate  which  leadeth  to  everlasting 
life." 

Mrs.  Aston.    I  do  not  doubt  that  I  shall  find  a  double 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  107 

blessing  in  the  resolve ;  and  may  it  be  granted  that  my 
child  and  her  parent  may  walk  together. 

Au.  In  this  you  will  find  a  blessing.  In  proportion 
as  you  can  lead  your  Anna  into  the  knowledge  and  love 
of  God,  such  will  be  the  proportion  of  her  love  and  ho- 
nour of  her  parents.  You  will  be  able  to  judge  of  the 
power  of  the  principle  by  its  effect  in  practice. 

The  conversation  was  now  interrupted  by  Mrs.  Ben- 
net,  who  said,  "  The  time  wears  away  fast,  and  I  fear  to 
lose  my  errand ,  which  was  to  say,  that  I  think  it  a  great 
pity  you  should  have  appointed  our  meetings  at  your 
house  so  distant  as  weekly ;  for  we  have  now  an  acces- 
sion to  the  usual  circle  of  our  friends  by  the  visiters  that 
are  in  the  neighbourhood;  and  I  have  heard  them  ex- 
press so  much  feeling  on  the  subject  of  our  last  inter- 
view, that  I  could  not  help  wishing  they  might  be  fol- 
lowed up  a  little  quicker." 

Expressing  my  readiness  to  meet  her  wishes,  she  un- 
dertook to  collect  the  party,  and  to  engage  them  for  the 
next  evening. 

We  then  parted,  our  friends  being  joined  by  their 
children,  Anna  and  Maria. 

When  the  evening  drew  on,  our  young  people  re- 
minded me  of  my  engagement  at  the  gardener's  cottage, 
and  inducing  their  mamma  to  accompany  us,  we  all  set 
out ;  being  joined,  as  we  had  appointed,  by  Mary  and 
her  father,  who  were  waiting  in  readiness  for  us. 

"  Let  us  go  by  the  way  of  the  village,"  said  George, 
"  that  we  may  inquire  after  Dick  Johnson." 

Our  way  being  thus  marked  out,  we  soon  drew  near 
his  dwelling. 

George.    There  he  is,  leaning  against  the  door. 

He  saw  us  approaching,  and  went  in  as  if  to  avoid  ob- 


108  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

servation ;  but  we  tapped  at  the  door,  and  asked  if  we 
might  be  admitted  ? 

"  By  all  means,  Sir,  come  in,"  the  mother  said. 

Au.  I  came  to  ask  if  you  or  your  boy  have  thought 
any  more  of  the  fifth  commandment  % 

Mother.  I  can't  say  what  he  has  done,  but  I  know 
he  was  desperate  angry  when  I  told  him  of  it  this 
morning. 

Au.  Angry !  to  be  told  of  God's  word,  Dick !  how  did 
this  happen  ? 

Dick.    She  wanted  to  come  over  me  ! 

Au.    In  what  way  ? 

"  You  see,  Sir,"  interrupted  the  mother,  "  when  I'd 
knitted  him  his  stockings,  he  grumbled  to  pay  me  my 
due,  and  said  neighbour  Matty  would  have  done  them 
cheaper.  Now  you  see,  Sir,  it's  here — I  paid  2\d.  an 
ounce  for  the  worsted,  .and  it  takes  eight  ounces  to  a 
pair  of  his  stockings,  for  you  see  he's  a  stout  leg  like, 
and  the  regular  rule  is  to  pay  for  knitting  as  much  as 
worsted  costs,  and  that  made  'em  come  to  3s.  Ad. ;  so  he 
said  he  wouldn't  pay  it,  any  how.  I  know  Matty  would 
do  it  for  less;  but  then  the  worsted  is  a  palfpenny  an 
ounce  less,  and  that  makes  a  difference:  and  when  I  told 
him  so,  he  went  to  call  me  a  liar : — so,  Sir,  I  thought  of 
f  Honour  thy  father  and  mother,'  and  I  told  him  on't ; 
and  then  he  blustered  and  swaggered,  and  talked  o' 
shifting  his  loom,  and  going  somewhere  else." 

Au.     Indeed  !  and  how  will  you  settle  this  dispute  ? 

Mother.  Nay,  he's  like  to  have  his  own  way  for 
aught  I  see;  but  I  know  if  he'd  honoured  his  mother  he 
wouldn't  have  bargained  about  a  few  halfpence. 

Au.  You  say  very  true,  he  would  not ;  but  how  do 
you  think  you  are  to  get  that  honour  from  him  now, 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  109 

when  the  first  time  you  talked  to  him  of  the  command- 
ment of  God,  it  was  neither  for  love  of  his  soul,  nor  for 
the  honour  of  God,  but  for  the  profit  of  some  halfpence, 
and  for  resentment  at  his  abuse  of  you.  If  you  expect 
to  induce  your  son  to  honour  you,  you  must  first  let 
him  see  that  you  reverence  the  Lord  ;  and  if  you  expect 
him  to  love  you,  you  must  show  that  you  love  him. 

Mother.  Why,  Sir,  I'm  not  so  unnatural  as  not  to 
love  my  own  flesh,  as  my  boy  is — (and  her  voice  be- 
came impeded  by  a  choking  in  her  throat  occasioned  by 
the  rising  feelings  of  natural  love  and  vexation  of  spirit — ). 
Many's  the  time  that  I've  worked  night  and  day  for  him 
for  nought :  when  he'd  the  small  pox  he  was  six  days 
and  nights  on  my  lap ;  and  its  only  thirteen  weeks  come 
Saturday  next  since  he  got  better  of  a  fever  that  had 
kept  him  to  bed  a  whole  month. 

Au.  It's  a  sad  thing  that  you  should  have  to  repeat 
these  instances  of  your  care  of  your  son  to  remind  him 
of  his  obligation  to  you ;  and  that  he  should  not  know 
that  Scripture  which  exhorts  children  to  learn  first  to 
show  piety  at  home,  and  to  requite  their  parents;  "  for 
that  is  good  and  acceptable  before  God."  I  Tim.  v.  4. 
But  you  know  that,  though  he  ought  to  remember  them, 
you  ought  not  to  lay  them  up  in  your  mind  as  if  they 
were  a  store  of  extraordinaay  good  works ;  you  would 
not  have  been  worthy  the  name  of  mother,  if  you  had 
not  cherished  your  own  child  in  his  sickness.  If  he  has 
forgotten  his  own  duty,  depend  upon  it  he  knows  that 
this  was  your  duty. 

Dick.  She's  always  flinging  that  in  my  face,  and 
father  too;  though  he  makes  me  pay  so  much  for  my. 
board  and  lodging,  he's  none  so  careful  to  make  his  own 
10 


110  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

share,  for  he  wastes  his  money  in  the  public  house ;  he 
works  hard  enough,  but  that's  no  better  for  us. 

Au.  Oh,  wretched  people  !  without  God  in  the 
world  !  What  can  we  expect  from  a  son  so  brought  up, 
but  disobedience  and  selfishness,  with  nothing  to  attract 
his  heart  to  his  parents,  nor  a  sense  of  duty  to  the  Lord 
to  bind  him  to  duty  towards  his  father  and  mother.  How 
sadly  do  you  neglect  the  Scripture  which  teaches  pa- 
rents to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and  fear 
of  the  Lord. 

I  did  not  feel  that  T  could  at  that  moment  reason  with 
them  to  any  profit ;  all  their  passions  were  awake  ;  and 
they  seemed  bent  on  recrimination  of  each  other.  I 
therefore  turned  to  my  own  party,  and  proposed  to  go 
on  to  the  gardener's. 

"  Ah,  you'll  see  very  different  things  there,"  said  the 
mother;  "Thomas'  children  know  how  to  honour  their 
father  and  mother." 

I  was  glad  to  hear  this  remark,  as  it  proved  at  least 
some  discrimination. 

I  hastened  on,  fearful  of  being  stopped  by  any  other 
incident,  and  we  were  speedily  at  the  cottage  door. 
There  was  a  small  flower-garden  in  front,  and  little  Sa- 
rah was  busy  tying  up  some  bunches  of  stocks,  to  sup- 
port them  under  the  weight  of  the  seed -pods,  which 
were  near  ripening.  Old  Thomas  was  seated  at  the 
door,  on  a  knotted  piece  of  wood,  placed  there  for  a  seat, 
leaning  on  his  stick,  and  watching  Sarah's  progress. 
His  hands  shook  from  an  affection  of  palsy.  When  he 
saw  us  he  endeavoured  to  rise,  but  his  knees  shook  so 
as  to  disable  him  from  standing  steadily  at  first.  Little 
Sarah,  seeing  him  move   threw  down  her  string  and 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  Ill 

scissors,  and  ran  to  him,  saying,  "  Grandfather,  put  your 
hand  on  the  top  of  my  head  to  steady  you." 

"  Yes,  my  little  prop,"  he  said,  laying  his  trembling 
hand  on  her  flaxen-hair'd  head,  which  for  a  moment 
was  shaken  by  the  involuntary  motion  of  his  hand  ;  but 
she  raised  her  hand  and  put  it  upon  his,  and  so  held  it 
steady. 

It  was  a  pretty  picture — he  leaned  on  his  stick  with 
the  other  hand ;  his  bushy  white  hair  was  tucked  behind 
his  ears,  a  stray  lock  crossed  his  forehead,  and  his  hat, 
which  from  age  had  lost  its  form,  slouched  a  little  over 
his  face.  But  when  he  lifted  it  up  to  bid  us  welcome, 
he  discovered  a  countenance  full  of  peacefulness  and 
benignity,  though  his  face  was  thin,  and  furrowed  with 
the  lines  of  age.  Knowing  already  the  character  of  the 
old  man,  I  could  not  help  saying  in  a  low  voice  to  our 
children,  "  See  !  the  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glory,  if 
it  be  found  in  the  way  of  righteousness."  Prov.  xvi.  31. 

He  waited  to  know  our  errand,  and  I  at  once  told  him 
our  motive  for  calling. 

Au.  See  here,  Thomas,  three  children,  my  nephews 
and  niece,  and  their  mother,  my  sister ;  we  are  come  to 
converse  with  you,  if  you  will  allow  us,  on  the  impor- 
tant duties  connected  with  the  training  up  children  in 
respect  to  the  fifth  commandment,  and  the  blessings  they 
are  likely  to  experience  in  attention  to  its  dictates. 

Old  Thomas.  There  should  be  none  better  qualified 
than  I,  Sir,  to  speak  on  that  subject,  and  if  you  con- 
descend to  go  into  our  small  cottage,  I'll  talk  with  you 
with  all  my  heart ;  only  I  cannot,  you  see,  Sir,  stand 
long ;  my  knees  are  feeble,  and  remind  me  of  the  ap- 
proach of  that  time  when  I  shall  "be  sown  in  weakness, 
but  raised  in  power."   (As  he  said  this,  a  beam  of  joyful 


112  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

hope  shot  across  his  serene  face,  which  gave  it  a  pecu- 
liar animation.) 

"  Oh  ! "  I  said,  apart  to  my  sister,  "  how  true  it  is,  that 
parents  must  show  forth  their  own  hope  and  dependence 
of  faith,  in  order  to  inculcate  the  true  principle  on  the 
minds  of  their  children!" 

Louisa  sprang  forward  to  open  the  door  for  old  Tho- 
mas; and  though  he  paused  for  us  to  go  in  before  him, 
not  one  would  move  until  he  led  the  way :  it  was  very 
pleasing  to  me  to  see  this  token  of  innate  respect  for  old 
age. 

We  found  Jane  busy  helping  her  infirm  mother  to 
shell  pease,  which  they  were  engaged,  we  heard,  to  take 
that  night  to  a  family  in  the  neighbourhood.  She  with 
quickness  took  the  bason  off  her  mother's  knee,  and 
though  she  was  quite  neat  enough,  took  a  clean  apron 
out  of  a  drawer,  and  tied  it  on  her  mother,  in  place  of 
the  one  she  had  on ;  and  then,  after  placing  chairs  for 
us  all  as  well  as  she  could,  turned  down  an  empty  flow- 
er-pot which  was  in  the  corner,  to  make  a  seat  for  her- 
self, so  that  she  could  go  on  with  her  employment. 

I  could  not  help  reflecting  for  a  moment  on  the  uni- 
versal influence  of  a  fixed  and  consistent  principle ;  how 
every  minute  movement  of  a  family,  well-ordered  in  the 
Lord,  expresses  the  correctness  of  the  spring  by  which 
they  are  put  in  motion. 

Being  all  accommodated — Sarah  standing  by  her 
grandfather,  but  engrossed  in  looking  at  us  all  in  turn — 
we  waited  a  few  minutes  to  see  the  old  man  settled. 

Au.  Now,  my  friend,  it  seems  rather  an  abrupt  ap- 
plication to  make  to  you  on  this  great  subject ;  but  as  I 
perceive  the  way  in  which  this  little  family  is  taught, 
and  heard  the  godly  feelings  of  your  son,  and  am  di- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  113 

rected  by  him  to  you,  to  learn  from  your  experience 
and  wisdom,  I  am  anxious  to  hear  your  sentiments, 
and,  if  possible,  to  gather  the  plan  on  which  you  have 
proceeded. 

"  Sir,"  he  answered,  "  excuse  an  old  man,  if  I  speak 
in  my  own  way.  The  truth  is,  I  can  hardly  say  whai 
plan  I  have  had ;  but  this  I  know,  I  desired  of  the  Lord 
wisdom  to  bring  up  and  govern  my  family,  for  I  thought 
this  as  great  a  concern  to  me,  as  it  was  to  king  Solo- 
mon to  have  wisdom  to  govern  the  people  of  Israel.  I'll 
tell  you  how  the  Lord  gave  me  wisdom,  I  think — bless- 
ed be  his  holy  name — because  I've  no  learning  much 
about  worldly  wisdom.  I  can  read  my  Bible  well,  thank 
the  Lord,  and  out  of  it  he  gave  me  wisdom  to  be  sin- 
gle-eyed with  regard  to  my  family ;  showing  me  by  his 
Word  that  it  was  my  duty  to  "  train  up  a  child  in  the 
way  he  should  go,"  and  showing  me  the  promise,  that 
he  should  not  depart  from  it  when  he  is  old.  So,  instead 
of  toiling  and  troubling  myself  about  cares  to  make 
riches,  I  believed  it  was  best  to  seek  first  the  kingdom 
of  heaven,  and  to  trust  that  all  things  else  should  be 
added  unto  us.  We  prayed  for  daily  bread ;  we  work- 
ed for  daily  bread  ;  we  always  had  enough,  and  some- 
times a  bit  to  spare ;  and  though  we've  nothing  laid  up, 
we've  treasure  in  heaven.  My  old  age  has  been  sup- 
ported by  my  son,  and  his  old  age  will  be  supported  by 
his  sons,  if  they  live ;  and  if  not,  we  live  in  the  '  Lord,' 
who  '  will  provide.'  It  is  His  Name,  you  know,  Sir." 
(Jehovah-Jireh.     Gen.  xxii.  8. 14.) 

Au.  True,  Thomas ;  but  did  you  try  to  impress  the 
fifth  commandment  on  the  minds  of  your  children? 

Old  Thomas.  Yes,  Sir ;  you  know  I  said  I  must  be 
forced  to  talk  in  my  own  way.  You  see  what  I've  been 
10* 


114  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

saying  has  more  to  do  with  that,  than  it  may  be  you 
think,  because  it  had  to  do  with  what  the  Scriptures  call, 
being  single-eyed.  It  made  my  son  know  that  I  put  my 
trust  in  God  himself,  and  then  they  must  be  sure  I 
honoured  his  word,  because  it  was  all  I  had  to  go  by  ; 
so  when  I  told  them  of  God's  Word  respecting  them, 
they  knew  that  I  was  directing  them  by  the  light  that  I 
wished  to  walk  in  myself. 

Au.  Can  you  give  me  any  idea  of  the  maimer  in 
which  you  taught  them  ?  ■ 

Old  Thomas.  I  dare  say,  Sir,  I  talk  very  confused, 
but  you  know,  Sir,  I  asked  your  excuse.  I  used  to  do 
this  way — and,  indeed,  I  do  the  same  way  with  my 
grandchildren.  I  did'nt  fright  them  with  the  command- 
ment of  God,  as  if  it  was  a  terrible  thing,  but  I  showed 
it  to  them  in  all  the  word  of  God,  for  it  is  all  over  the 
Bible ;  and  I  showed  them  how  Jesus,  who  loved  us  so 
as  to  lay  down  his  life  for  us,  talked  of  it ;  and  how  af- 
fectionately it  was  always  spoken  of;  for  even  at  Sinai 
it  had  a  promise  given  with  it ;  and  it  is  always  named 
with  a  blessing  of  some  sort.  So  I  said,  "  You  see  what 
God  teaches,  that  you  honour  your  father  and  mother. 
It  is  not  me  that  orders  it ;  but  I  tell  you  it,  because 
God  has  commanded  it,  and  has  given  me  a  right.  I 
must  be  honoured,  because  I  am  your  father ;  God 
has  made  me  your  father,  and  put  us  together  of  his 
own  will,  that  you  should  honour  me."  They  knew  I 
did  not  say  this  in  pride,  nor  think  highly  of  myself, 
because  they  heard  me  confess  myself  a  sinner,  and  pray 
for  the  grace  of  the  sprinkling  of  the  blood  of  Jesus. 
But,  perhaps,  Sir,  I  have  said  too  much  ;  I  know  it  is  an 
old  man's  fault  to  talk  too  much. 

Au.   No,  indeed,  Thomas,  it  was  to  hear  you  talk  that 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  115 

we  came,  and  we  are  much  obliged  to  you ;  for  we  de- 
sire that  you  should  talk  freely. 

Old  Thomas.  Well,  you  see,  Sir,  an  old  man  can 
tell  more  than  a  young  one,  because  he  has  lived  to  see 
the  goodness  and  truth  of  the  Lord.  And  if  fathers 
and  mothers  would  but  believe  God,  they  wouldn't 
spend  all  their  care  for  their  children  about  the  things 
of  this  world.  It  is  right,  and  our  duty,  to  labour  with 
our  hands,  but  if  we  would  but  remember  the  promise, 
"  that  the  seed  of  the  righteous  shall  never  be  forgotten, 
nor  seen  begging  their  bread,"  we  should  first  desire  to 
see  our  children  made  the  children  of  the  Lord. 

An.  Did  your  children,  from  the  flrs^  imbibe  the  love 
of  the  Lord  and  of  his  commandment  ? 

Old  Thomas.  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  the  giver  of  all 
grace,  they  did,  I  had  but  two  sons:  one  is  gone  to 
heaven;  the  other,  Thomas,  my  first-born,  you  know, 
Sir.  I  think  I  may  say,  as  I  endeavoured  humbly  to 
bring  them  up  in  the  way  of  the  Lord,  they  have  not 
departed  from  it.  You  mustn't  think,  Sir,  because  I  say 
so,  that  they  never  did  anything  that  is  wrong ;  that 
couldn't  be  in  sinful  nature,  such  as  we  all  have  :  they 
had  their  tempers  and  their  temptations  ;  but  they  knew 
where  to  take  them  for  correction  ;  they  knew  the 
cleansing  blood  of  Jesus,  and  the  sanctifying  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  I  always  watched  their  tempers  and 
pride,  and  told  them  of  it  directly  they  showed  it ;  and 
many's  the  time  I've  seen  the  bitter  tear  stand  in  their 
eyes,  till  my  own  has  started  to  think  they  had  got  sins 
to  struggle  with  through  me  their  father ;  for  whenever 
these  young  ones  do  wrong  and  sin,  I  remember,  with  a 
sigh,  that  they  were  born  in  sin. 

Au.     Then,  I  perceive,  you  taught  them  the  com- 


116  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

mandment  blended  with  a  view  of  their  sinfulness ;  but 
did  not  this  make  them  fear  the  commandment  ? 

Old  Thomas.  I  can't  say ;  I  think  this  is  it ; — that  if 
you  can  first  teach  them  to  love  the  Lord  himself  for 
his  goodness,  then  they  don't  feel  his  commandments 
grievous.  You  know,  Sir,  it  was  that  Apostle  that  knew 
so  much  about  love  that  said,  "  For  this  is  the  love  jf 
God,  that  we  keep  his  commandments,  and  his  com- 
mandments are  not  grievous"     1  John  v.  3. 

Au.  But  you  know  also  that  It  was  the  knowledge  of 
the  law,  and  of  sin  by  fhe  law,  that  made  St.  Paul  cry 
out,  "  O  wretched  man  that  I  am!" 

Old  Thomas*  It  did,  Sir,  (he  quickly  replied,)  but 
when  he  saw  his  deliverance  in  Jesus  Christ,  he  was 
directly  freed  from  fear,  because  he  said,  "  There  is, 
therefore,  now,  no  condemnation  to  them  that  are  in 
Christ  Jesus."     Bom.  viii.  1. 

Au.  Then  did  they  feel  satisfied  because  they  were 
doing  all  they  could  ? 

He  looked  earnestly  at  me  for  a  minute,  as  if  to  get 
at  the  full  meaning  of  my  question,  and  then  said,  "  No 
Sir,  no.  Don't  the  Scriptures  say,  '  Christ  is  the  end 
of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth.' 
Thank  God,  I've  been  taught  that  holy  doctrine ;  else, 
Sir,  I  don't  know  how  I  should  have  dared  to  look  so 
close  at  the  commandment.  It  clings  to  my  heart,  'He 
shall  be  called  the  Lord  our  Righteousness,'  Jer.  xxiii. 
6.     I  will  not  let  it  go." 

Au.  You  have,  been  taught,  I  see,  the  doctrines  of 
righteousness  in  all  their  application ;  and  this  has  been 
a  great  privilege. 

Old  Thomas.  Yes,  it  has,  Sir.  I'd  a  faithful  guide 
in  my  youth,  and  well  I  remember  his  instructions  on 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  117 

the  two  passages,  Jer.  xxiii.  6,  and  xxxiii.  16 ;  and  the 
Lord  graved  it  on  my  heart,  as  with  a  pen  of  iron. 

Au.  Then  you  instructed  your  children  in  the  whole 
truth  ? 

Old  Thomas.  To  be  sure,  Sir,  as  far  as  T  knew  it. 
You  can't  well  help  it,  you  know,  Sir,  when  you  read 
the  Scriptures  to  them,  because  all  comes  in  its  turn,  and 
if  God  in  his  wisdom  lets  his  word  stand  so,  why  should 
I  "shun  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God  ?"  God 
reveals  his  truth  by  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  and  you  know, 
Sir,  it  was  a  matter  of  rejoicing  to  Christ,  when  in 
the  flesh,  that  it  was  "  revealed  to  babes?1 

Au.     Was  your  wife  of  the  same  mind  ? 

The  old  man  did  not  answer  immediately,  as  he  was 
long  in  raising  his  palsied  hand  to  wipe  the  tear  off  his 
eyelid. 

Old  Thomas.  She  was,  blessed  be  the  Lord.  I 
knew  enough,  when  I  sought  a  wife,  to  seek  a  help-meet 
in  the  Lord.  I  asked  her  of  the  Lord,  and  he  gave  me 
such  a  one.  (Then  assuming  a  more  cheerful  tone,  he 
continued.)  Son  Thomas  Walked  in  his  father's  steps, 
and  he  has  such  a  one ;  there  she  sits ;  with  all  her  in- 
firmities of  body  she  is  strong  in  faith,  and  a  help-meet 
for  him. 

We  all  naturally  looked  towards  her,  and  Jane  for  a 
moment  stopped  her  work  to  look  in  her  mother's  face 
with  an  expression  of  love."  This  general  observation 
caused  a  feeling  of  modest  confusion,  which  was  indi- 
cated by  the  change  of  complexion  in  her  pale  face,  and 
which  had  the  effect  of  obliging  us  all  to  turn  away  our 
eyes  again. 

I  felt  sorry  that  our  time  obliged  us  now  to  leave  old 
Thomas.    We  rose  and  thanked  him  for  his  kind  com- 


118  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

munications.  On  our  way  home  again,  my  sister 
said,  "Does  not  the  conversation  of  old  Thomas  remind 
you  of  David's  words,  Ps.  lxxi.  17,  18.  '  O  God,  thou 
hast  taught  me  from  my  youth,  and  hitherto  have  I  de- 
clared thy  wondrous  works.  Now  also  when  I  am  old 
and  grey  headed,  O  God,  forsake  me  not,  until  I  have 
showed  thy  strength  unto  this  generation,  and  thy  pow- 
er to  every  one  that  is  to  come.' " 

My  friend,  Mr.  Conway,  and  his  Mary,  parted  from 
us  where  the  road  divided,  saying,  "  Thank  you,  my 
friend,  I  and  Mary  will  hope  to  be  the  better  for  this;  I 
begin  to  see  things  as  I  never  did  before." 


CHAPTER   X. 

Old  Thomas. — An  instance  of  devoted  filial  piety. — 
Grounds  of  the  duty  of  parents. 

At  breakfast  next  morning,  we  endeavoured  to  form 
a  plan  for  the  evening  conversation,  and  Louisa's  ex- 
pression of  a  desire  that  old  Thomas  should  be  of  the 
party,  suggested  the  idea  that  it  might  not  be  impossible 
to  have  him ;  but  his  infirmities  led  us  to  fear  he  could 
not  bear  the  fatigue  of  coming. 

"Oh!"  said  Charles,  "there  is  the  little  cart  and  po- 
ny, and  I  should  be  glad  to  be  the  driver  to  fetch  old 
Thomas." 

Au.  It  is  no  bad  plan,  Charles,  and  if  your  mother 
sees  no  reason  to  object,  we  will  settle  it  so. 

My  sister  was  pleased  with  the  proposal,  and  we  had 
only  to  advise  that  he  should  be  brought  as  early  as 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  119 

possible,  in  order  to  let  him  have  time  to  rest ;  and  Lou- 
isa proposed  that  his  grand  daughter,  Jane,  should  come 
to  take  care  of  him.  Our  arrangements  were  soon  made; 
and  whilst  the  young  people  devoted  a  few  hours  to 
study,  I  again  went  forth  to  what  I  conceived  to  be  my 
calling  at  the  present  period ;  and  thinking  it  rather  re- 
markable that  Mrs.  Bennet  should  have  been  the  person 
to  solicit  more  frequent  meetings,  I  thought  I  might  en- 
deavour to  learn  on  what  particular  ground  she  was  in- 
duced to  do  it;  for  she  had  declared  such  complete  sa- 
tisfaction with  her  own  plans,  that  I  felt  rather  surpris- 
ed. Undertaking  to  call  at  the  gardener's,  in  order  to 
engage  the  old  man  and  Jane,  I  went  that  way. 

Old  Thomas  thanked  me  for  the  honour  I  did  him,  as 
he  said,  but  pleaded  his  age  and  infirmities  as  an  excuse 
for  declining  the  invitation.  I  told  him  how  easy  we 
would  endeavour  to  make  it;  and  then  he  pleaded  his 
want  of  knowledge  how  to  behave  in  such  a  company 
of  ladies  and  gentlemen ;  but  in  the  end,  when  I  urged 
that  he  might  be  a. help  to  me  in  setting  forth  the  duties 
of  parents  and  children,  he  overcame  his  reluctance,  and 
said;  that  "if  the  Lord  gave  him  strength  he  would  try 
to  meet  my  wishes." 

We  had  just  finished  this  business,  when  a  fine  look- 
ing, modest  girl,  about  sixteen,  came  rather  abruptly  into 
the  room,  but  on  seeing  me,  started,  and  immediately 
ran  back. 

"  I  fear  I  have  frightened  that  young  woman,"  I  said; 
"let  her  be  called  back,  for  I  am  going."  She  was,  how- 
ever, too  quickly  out  of  sight  to  be  recalled. 

"  It's  a  pity,"  said  old  Thomas,  "  for  she's  in  great  dis- 
tress just  now." 
;    Au.    Is  it  in  anything  wherein  I  can  help  her  ? 


120  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Old  Thomas.  No,  Sir ;  I  think  she'll  get  over  it  in 
time,  by  the  blessing  of  God. 

(There  was  something  in  the  appearance  of  the  girl 
that  had  pleased  me,  and  induced  me  to*  ask  what  was 
the  nature  of  her  distress.) 

She  would  be  sorry  to  have  it  known,  but  this  is  the 
case: — She  is  the  eldest  of  her  family  ;  her  mother  is  a 
quiet,  industrious  woman,  but  her  father  is  a  man  of  bad 
character,  violent,  unruly-tempered,  and  given  to  bad 
company  ;  he's  a  great  gambler,  especially  a  cock-fighter; 
and  this  is  the  third  time  that  he's  brought  himself  to 
ruin.  He  hates  this  girl,  though  she's  the  only  one  of 
all  the  family  that  loves  the  Lord  :  he  can't  bear  her  reli- 
gion ,  because  it  condemns  him;  though  she  behaves 
dutifully  to  him,  and  whenever  she  takes  courage  to 
warn  him  of  his  sin,  does  it  like  one  who  knows  what's 
due  to  him  as  her  father. 

Au.    What  would  she  be  wanting  with  you  now  1 

Old  Thomas.  Oh !  what  she  can  do  another  time  ; 
it's  only  to  put  some  money  into  my  hand  to  pay  over 
to  her  Christian  friend,  a  young  lady,  who  has  been  her 
instructer  in  religion  ever  since  she  was  five  years  old. 

Au.    What  does  she  pay  the  money  for  ? 

Old  Thomas.  She's  bent  on  paying  her  father's 
debts,  and  she's  kept  the  bailiffs  out  of  the  house  by  her 
promise  to  work  it  out,  but  she  daren't  let  him  know 
what  she's  about ;  and  he  hides  himself  to  keep  out  of 
the  way,  and  though  he  donH  work^  his  idleness  is  bet- 
ter than  gambling. 

Au.    How  will  she  pay  it  ? 

Old  Thomas.  For  the  last  three  weeks  she's  been 
at  work  by  four  in  the  morning,  till  past  twelve  at  night; 
her  window's  right  opposite  our  back  room,  where  I 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  121 

sleep,  and  I've  heard  her  sing  her  morning  hymn  while 
she's  been  at  work,  by  four  o'clock.  I'm  sure  my  heart 
has  sung  with  her.  It  comes  so  sweet  across  with  the 
wind,  as  it  blows  ! 

Au.    Why  does  she  pay  the  money  to  the  lady? 

Old  Thomas.  Because  she  always  takes  counsel  of 
her ;  and  she  lodges  it  with  her  till  she's  got  the  money 
up :  and  one  of  her  sorrows  is,  that  it  robs  her  of  time 
just  now  to  attend  her  instructions ;  but  this  quickens 
her,  I  dare  say,  to  get  at  liberty  soon. 

Au.  Will  not  her  father's  heart  be  moved  towards 
her  when  he  knows  of  this  ? 

Old  Thomas.  No,  not  a  bit ;  I  believe  he'd  rather 
have  owed  it  to  anybody  than  her.  You  know,  Sir, 
what  the  Lord  saith,  "  I  came  not  to  give  peace,  but  di- 
vision ;  to  set  father  against  son,  and  mother  against 
daughter;"  and  so  it  is — Jesus  is  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
but  that  is  only  when  he  reigns  in  the  heart. 

Au.    Has  the  young  lady  a  school  ? 

Old  Thomas.  Yes ;  and  the  Lord  makes  her  a 
blessing  to  all  the  young  people  under  her  instruction. 
She  teaches  them  regularly — all  Bible  instruction. 

Au.    Where  is  the  school  ? 

Old  Thomas.  In  the  next  market  town,  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  off.  Now,  Sir,  I  think  she  could  tell 
you  something  about  the  fifth  commandment.  I'm  sure 
she's  taught  Martha  to  honour  and  succour  her  father 
and  mother ;  and  it  must  be  a  true  principle  of  love  to 
God,  when  such  fruit  is  seen.  Besides,  she  bears  some 
persecution  from  her  neighbours,  that  don't  know  her 
reasons,  who  call  her  covetous,  and  say,  she's  working 
herself  to  a  skeleton  from  the  love  of  money :  but  she 
bears  it  all. 
11 


122  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Au.  Thank  you,  Thomas,  for  telling  me  of  this 
proof  of  filial  duty.  I  hope  you  will  be  well  enough  for 
the  afternoon. 

Ruminating  on  this  instance  as  I  went  on  my  way  to 
Mrs.  Bennet's,  I  was  there  sooner  than  I  expected ;  and, 
recollecting  my  errand,  sent  in  my  name.  I  was  in- 
stantly admitted,  and  she  said  in  haste — 

"  I  hope  you  are  not  come  to  postpone  our  engage- 
ment." 

Au.  No  ;  I  should  be  sorry  to  do  so  ;  but  I  wish  to 
know  if  you  have  really  appointed  all  our  party. 

Mrs.  B.  O  yes  ;  all.  Some  have  deferred  other  en- 
gagements for  the  sake  of  your's. 

Au.  Maria  is  not  here  at  present,  I  see.  Will  you  ex- 
cuse me  (as  we  have  only  the  best  intention)  if  J  ask 
you,  why  you  are  desirous  for  these  meetings  ? 

Mrs.  B.  I  will  be  candid.  You  have  presented  to 
my  mind  some  considerations,  which  have  made  me 
more  keen-sighted  to  deficiencies  in  Maria's  manners. 
The  love  she  expresses,  is,  I  believe,  quite  sincere  ;  but  I 
confess  there  is,  at  the  same  time,  a  want  of  that  respect 
which  I  begin  to  think  is  essentially  a  part  of  that  honour 
which  the  Lord  commands.  For  instance : — If  I  am  in 
earnest  Shout  something  I  wish  her  to  do,  she  puts  it  off 
by  a  kind  of  familiar  liberty,  snatching  my  hand,  per- 
haps, and  saying,  "  Oh,  mamma,  not  so  serious,  not  so 
serious  !  you  know,  All  for  love."  She  will  even,  some- 
times, contradict  me  rudely;  and  if  I  look  a  reproof, 
she  forces  it  away  with  "All  for  love  !"  And  I  heard 
her  say,  this  morning,  "I  cannot  bear  to  be  ordered  ; 
if  it  is  not  for  love,  I  can  do  nothing."  And  I  perceive 
I  am  in  danger  of  seeing  another  kind  of  selfishness 
than  that  of  Anna's  grow  up,  unawares,  in  my  Maria, 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  123 

and  she  will  become  self-willed,  and  self-seeking,  under 
the  specious  profession  of  love.  Thus  she  comes  to  dic- 
tate terms  of  obedience,  suitable  to  her  disposition.  A 
little  while  ago,  when  I  had  become  weary  of  an  en- 
gagement in  which  she  had  engrossed  me  too  long,  she 
expressed  her  disappointment  in  this  flattering  language: 
"  If  it  was  for  love,  mamma,  you  would  not  be  tired." 
In  fact,  I  am  myself  in  danger  of  being  a  slave  to  this 
prevalent  plea. 

Au.  Did  you  endeavour  to  place  the  command  be- 
fore her  ? 

Mrs.  B.  Yes ;  but  she  said,  in  the  moment  of  pique, 
"  I  still  cannot  help  thinking  honour  is  too  cold."  I  be- 
lieve, though,  there  was  some  conviction,  for  she  instant- 
ly left  the  room,  and  I  have  not  seen  her  since.  Shall  I 
ring  the  bell,  and  let  her  know  you  are  here  ? 

Au.  No;  I  think  not,  at  present :  I  will  rather  leave 
you,  and  she  will  be  a  little  prepared,  perhaps,  by  reflec- 
tion, for  the  evening. 

On  my  return,  my  mind  again  adverted  to  the  account 
of  Martha  and  her  instructress,  wishing,  if  by  any  means 
I  could  obtain  it,  an  introduction  to  the  young  lady ;  but, 
for  the  present,  my  time  was  likely  to  be  fully  occupied 
by  the  engagement  before  me. 

The  hours  flew  swiftly  away,  whilst  I  was  engaged 
with  my  young  inmates  in  making  preparations,  as  be- 
fore, for  the  reception  of  our  guests ;  and  Charles  hav- 
ing not  failed  to  go  in  good  time  for  old  Thomas,  we 
soon  saw  the  cart  with  its  venerable  burden  drawing  up 
to  the  house.  He  had  made  him  a  comfortable  seat  with 
bundles  of  straw,  and  contrived  to  prop  him  steadily, 
while  Jane,  sitting  beside  him,  held  one  of  his  hands. 
His  son,  Thomas,  was  walking  on  one  side,  at  the  head 


124  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

of  the  horse,  and  Charles  sat  as  charioteer,  in  the  front. 
We  went  to  receive  them  ;  and  Charles  said,  as  he  de- 
scended from  his  place,  "  There,  Thomas,  I  told  you  you 
need  not  be  alarmed,  we  have  come  the  whole  way  with 
scarcely  a  single  jolt." 

Thomas  smiled,  and  replied,  "  Very  true,  Sir,  you 
have  been  a  careful  driver ;  but  I  could  not  feel  easy 
without  being  by,  for  fear  of  anything  happening  to  hurt 
my  old  father ;  you'll  excuse  me,  Sir,  and  if  you  please 
to  let  me  come  in  the  evening,  I'll  take  him  home  again 
without  troubling  you." 

Old  Thomas.  Ah !  you  had  rather,  Thomas ;  you 
are  still  afraid ;  but  you  shall  do  as  you  like. 

With  care  and  patience,  the  old  man  was  soon  seated 
in  a  large  arm-chair,  in  a  comfortable  corner ;  and  for 
little  Jane,  we  placed  a  stool  near  to  her  grandfather. 

It  was  not  long  before  our  party  was  in  full  assem- 
blage, and  the  countenances  of  all  my  senior  guests  ex- 
pressed a  pleasure  at  our  meeting,  which  was  evidently 
sincere. 

A  few  cursory  remarks  filled  the  time  until  all  were 
seated ;  when  I  prepared  the  way  for  conversation  by 
saying — 

"  Allow  me  to  express  the  feeling  of  satisfaction  which 
this  token  of  your  interest  excites ;  and  I  trust  we  may 
anticipate  that  good  shall  result  from  the  blessing  of  the 
Lord,  to  both  parents  and  children." 

Mrs.  Evans,  who  seemed  always  most  ready  to  speak, 
immediately  said,  "  My  friend,  Mrs.  Graham,  wishes 
much  to  propose  a  question — will  you  permit  her  to  do 
so?" 

Au.  Most  gladly;  (looking  towards  her  and  waiting 
her  inquiry.) 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  125 

Mrs.  G.  It  is  this : — I  think  you  said,  in  our  last  con- 
versation, something  to  this  effect — that  though  there  is 
a  commandment  specially  directed  to  children,  there  is 
not  one  specially  directed  to  parents. 

Au.  We  have  a  sufficient  number  of  constraining 
commands,  relative  to  parental  duties,  in  innumerable 
parts  of  the  sacred  Scriptures ;  but  there  is  not  one  in 
the  code  of  the  ten  commandments  especially  to  parents. 
The  reason,  I  presume,  is  to  be  gathered  from  the  seri- 
ous import  of  the  second  commandment,  which  points 
out  to  parents  the  consequences  flowing  from  their  con- 
duct towards  their  children,  and  which  helps  to  establish 
one  of  my  most  important  principles — the  personal  duty 
of  the  parent  towards  God  as  the  first  object,  if  your 
sins  are  visited  upon  your  children.  Then  how  do 
you  show  love  to  your  children  by  continuing  in  sin,  by 
neglecting  to  seek  the  cleansing  of  your  own  sins,  by 
failing  to  observe  how  they  are  lighting  on  your  Chil- 
dren, both  in  the  judgments  that  are  in  store,  and  in 
present  kind.  Pardon  me,  my  dear  friends,  if  to  prove 
my  point,  I  make  an  application  which  may  appear  per- 
sonal.   Will  you  ? 

Mrs.  G.    Surely. 

Au.  Then  you  are  pledged  not  to  be  offended.  In 
the  first  place,  I  believe  we  are  all  agreed  upon  the 
Scripture  truth,  that  sin  is  the  nature  of  man  from  gene- 
ration to  generation.  We  will  take  the  twelfth  verse  of 
the  fifth  of  Romans,  as  sufficient  for  our  decision : — 
V  Wherefore,  as  by  one  man,  sin  entered  into  the  world, 
and  death  by  sin ;  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that 
all  have  sinned :"  and  we  see  the  fatal  development  of 
this  truth  in  the  manifestation  of  sin  in  the  very  first 
days  of  a  child.  In  the  same  way  that  we  often  see  the 
11* 


126  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

very  resemblance  of  parents,  in  feature,  person,  temper, 
manner,  habits,  so  do  they  also  imbibe  the  character. 
Whatever  you  are,  your  children  are  most  like  to  be, 
because  you  naturally  cultivate  them  according  to  the 
same  inclinations  and  pursuits  to  which  yourselves  are 
habituated.  The  consequence  is,  except  in  some  parti- 
cular instances,  that  they  take  the  character;  and  this 
is  implied  in  that  commandment  prohibiting  idolatry, 
the  threatening  being,  to  visit  the  sin  of  the  fathers  upon 
the  children.  We  make  that  an  idol,  to  the  service  of 
which  we  dedicate  ourselves  and  our  children,  when  we 
set  up  any  motive  or  object  in  the  place  of  God.  Thus 
self-love,  pleasure,  indifference,  selfishness,  covetousness, 
are  the  character  or  sin  of  the  parent,  and  are  inculcated 
on  the  children ;  for  I  think  we  may  take  it  as  a  gene- 
ral rule,  that  whatever  the  parent  proposes  to  the  child 
as  a  motive  for  obedience  is  the  prevailing  motive 
with  himself. 

(I  waited  a  few  moments  :  for  I  discovered  a  general 
sensation  through  my  party.) 

It  may  appear  a  very  peculiar  and  minute  application, 
but  I  believe  it  is  true.  I  could  enlarge  much  upon  this 
subject,  but  time  will  not  admit.  I  throw  it  out  as  a 
hint  to  be  improved  upon.  You  are  severally  suffering 
under  the  obstacles  you  find  :  trace  them  back  to  their 
origin,  and  you  will  find  them  in  yourselves,  therefore 
they  are  in  your  children.  Correct  them  in  yourselves, 
and  then  you  will  find  them  corrected  in  your  children. 
Here,  then,  is  a  constraining  consideration,  equal  in 
weight  to  any  command.  The  love  of  a  parent  to  a 
child  is  so  strong  that  he  would  willingly,  perhaps,  be 
the  sacrifice  for  its  preservation.  Should  not,  therefore, 
the  consideration  of  their   sins  devolving  upon  their 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  127 

children  be  a  powerful  argument  with  them  to  put  away 
sin? 

Mrs.  Evans,  turning  to  her  friend,  said,  "  I  think  you 
will  not  now  find  your  excuse  out  of  the  ten  command- 
ments." 

Mrs.  Graham  looked  exceedingly  uneasy,  and  I  ven- 
tured to  ask  her  why  she  had  put  the  inquiry? 

Mrs.  G.  If  I  must  say  it,  1  flattered  myself  with  a 
kind  of  self-justification,  thinking  I  had  no  particular 
responsibility,  if  I,  as  I  do,  committed  my  children 
wholly  to  the  care  of  others,  in  whom  I  could  place 
confidence. 

Au.  In  many  instances,  it  may  be  necessary,  and 
sometimes  preferable ;  for  it  is  better  that  they  should 
foe  under  the  care  of  conscientious  and  good  instructers, 
than  under  the  charge  of  a  mother  that  would  neglect 
her  duty  through  ignorance,  indolence,  or  impiety.  But 
ithe  mother  in  no  case  can  discharge  her  own  particular 
.obligations  through  a  substitute.  But  let  us  turn  to  a 
more  winning  consideration ;  for  we  seem  to  have  run 
;a  little  into  the  terrors  of  the  law.  Let  us  see  it  holy, 
just,  and  good  in  that  special  support  of  mercy,  with 
which  a  parent  who  loves  the  Lord  may  sustain  even  a 
drooping  spirit.  Love  the  Lord  ;  let  that  be  the  first 
principle,  and  let  mercy  unfold  what  mercy  will  bestow  : 
"  I  will  show  mercy  unto  thousands,  of  them  that  love 
me  and  keep  my  commandments." 

Mrs.  Evans  again  remarked,  "  Do  let  us  turn  to  that 
part  of  the  subject ;  for  I  think  that  if  we  did  not  hope 
in  the  mercy  of  God,  we  should  be  always  miserable, 
and  every  hour  of  our  life  be  embittered ;  but  I  always 
trust  in  his  mercy." 

Au.    My  dear  madam,  it  is  because  of  the  unbounded 


128  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

mercy  of  God  that  we,  any  of  us,  have  the  hope  of  life 
set  before  ns ;  but  it  is  an  attribute  of  such  a  holy  na- 
ture as  to  preclude  us  from  any  hope  of  deriving  bene- 
fit from  it,  save  through  the  infinite  propitiation  for  our 
sins  in  the  blood  of  Jesus.  It  is  not  a  light  and  trifling 
thing ;  and  we  must  lay  our  own  hand  on  the  head  of 
the  sacrifice,  or  we  receive  not  the  mercy  of  reconcilia- 
tion and  peace.  Be  so  good  as  to  remember  the  charac- 
ter of  those  upon  whom  mercy  is  shown — them  that 
love  the  Lord  ;  and  remember  also,  that  one  remarka- 
ble effect  of  mercy  is  to  produce  fear:  "  There  is  mer- 
cy with  thee  that  thou  mayest  be  feared."  But  we  will 
not  depart  from  our  first  subject:  Mrs.  Graham's  inqui- 
ry suggests  one  which  will  perhaps  follow  in  order,  as 
well  or  better  than  any  other,  which  is,  the  nature  and 
number  of  commands  which  actually  do  attach  exclu- 
sively to  parents. 

I  think,  by  a  few  minutes'  recollection  of  God's  Word, 
we  shall  be  supplied  with  many.  In  the  tenth  of  Deu- 
teronomy, verses  six  and  seven,  we  have  this  :  "  These 
words  which  I  command  thee  this  day  shall  be  in  thine 
heart,  and  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  to  thy  chil- 
dren, and  thou  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou  sittest  in 
thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way,  and 
when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up."  And 
in  the  seventy-eighth  Psalm,  fifth  verse,  the  Psalmist, 
declaring  that  he  will  not  hide  the  sayings  of  God  from 
the  children  that  come  after,  adds  a  constraining  rea- 
son :  "  For  he  established  a  testimony  in  Jacob,  and  ap- 
pointed a  law  in  Israel,  which  he  commanded  our  fa- 
thers that  they  should  make  them  known  to  their  chil- 
dren, that  the  generations  to  come  might  know  them, 
even  the  children  that  should  be  born  •  who  should  arise 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  129 

and  declare  them  to  their  children ;  that  they  might  set 
their  hope  in  God,  and  not  forget  the  works  of  God,  but 
keep  his  commandments."  Here  are  two  passages  of 
imperative  command ;  and  if  parents  would  but  dwell 
upon  the  importance  of  them,  they  would  be  earnest  in 
appealing  to  the  Lord  for  the  blessing  of  their  sons  and 
their  sons'  sons. 

Whenever  we  see  a  parent  deficient  in  his  duties,  we 
cannot  but  look  with  awful  anticipation,  to  the  conse- 
quences upon  his  child ;  and  whenever  this  becomes  a 
general  neglect  in  a  country,  it  may  be  considered  the 
commencement  of  that  departure  from  the  Lord,  which 
ends  in  an  apostate  nation.  In  Deuteronomy  the  fourth, 
and  ninth  verse,  there  is  the  same  command,  with  this 
additional  injunction:  "  Only  take  heed  to  thyself,  and 
keep  thy  soul  diligently,  lest  thou  forget  the  things  which 
thine  eyes  have  seen,  and  lest  they  depart  from  thine 
heart,  all  the  days  of  thy  life."  How  intimately,  there- 
fore, do  we  see  the  interests  of  the  parent  and  the  child 
interwoven  in  duty  and  love  to  God  ;  and  surely  we 
may  say  with  Moses,  "  Those  things  which  are  revealed, 
belong  unto  us,  and  to  our  children  for  ever,  that  we 
may  do  all  the  words  of  this  law."  Deut.  xxix.  29.  And 
the  way  in  which  we  can  fulfil  the  command  is  stated  in 
Prov.  xxii.  6. :  "  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should 
go."  But  we  may  pass  on  from  the  Old  Testament  to 
the  command  as  it  is  contained  in  the  New. 

"  That  is  the  interesting  point,  to  train  up  a  child ;  I 
confess  I  feel  it  a  most  difficult  duty,"  said  Mrs.  Aston. 

Au.  Again  I  would  impress  on  your  minds  the  ne- 
cessity of  being  yourselves  devoted  to  God  ;  then, 
though  the  responsibility  seems  the  same,  the  difficulty 
will  be  less.    In  Ephesians  vi.  4,  we  see  the  whole  sim- 


130  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

plified  by  the  word  of  God  :  "  Bring  them  up  in  the 
nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord."    This  is  a  com- 
mand which,  whilst  it  enforces  your  duty,  shows  you 
at  the  same  time  the  way  ;  which  is  learnt  in  the  bless- 
ed word  of  truth,  the  Bible,  the  only  directory  to  that 
nurture  and  admonition  which  is  of  the  Lord.     The 
conjunction  of  these  two  duties  in  the  Lord,  is  a  holy 
and  gracious  lesson ;  admonition  belonging  to  the  au- 
thority of  the  station,  and  nurture  to  the  tenderness 
and  love  of  the  parent.    It  is  quite  necessary  to  observe 
the  tioo,  that  neither  the  strictness  of  discipline  may 
frustrate  the  operation  of  love,  nor  the  show  of  love 
loosen  the  bonds  of  discipline.     The  Lord  has  implant- 
ed the  tender  love  of  the  parent  with  his  own  hand.    He 
hath  made  you  the  natural  nurses  of  your  own  children, 
and  has  appointed  you  to  be  their  spiritual  nurses  also. 
All  the  supply  that  can  be  rendered  them,  is  administer- 
ed by  his  wise  provision  through  your  hand  ;  and  in 
the  same  way  he  ordains  your  duty  to  administer  what 
he  supplies  to  you  for  their  souls.    They  need  the  ten- 
derest  care,  watchfulness,  diligence;  they  want  the  dai- 
ly bread  for  the  soul,  and  the  cultivation  of  a  spiritual 
mind,  as  well  as  the  charges,  and  restraints,  and  re- 
proofs, and  counsels  of  authority;  and  it  is  essentially 
necessary  that  it  be  in  the  Lord.     Let  them  know,  and 
see,  and  hear,  whence  you  derive  all  you  give  ;  that 
all  is  from  and  of  the  Lord,  and  their  confidence,  and 
dependence,  and  obedience,  will  more  readily  follow. 

But  I  fear  to  weary  you  with  what  must  appear  rather 
a  formal  lecture ;  excuse  me  if  my  earnestness  has  led 
me  to  trespass  on  your  patience. 

"  Oh,  do  not  apologize,"  said  Mrs.  Aston  ;  "my  heart 
is  too  much  bent  on  the  subject  to  be  soon  tired." 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  131 

Au.  We  will,  if  you  please,  change  the  scene  a  little, 
by  joining  our  young  friends. 

They  all  rose  to  accompany  me,  and  we  were  soon  in 
the  midst  of  the  interesting  circle.  We  found  them  lis- 
tening with  much  attention  to  the  details  my  sister's 
children  and  Mary  were  giving,  of  the  various  incidents 
which  they  had  witnessed  since  their  last  meeting. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Reverence  for  the  aged. — Love  and  Promise. — His- 
tory of  old  Thomas. — Inquiries  of  children  on  re- 
ligious subjects  to  be  satisfied,  and  the  habit  che- 
rished. 

Au.  You  look  so  happy,  and  so  well  engaged,  my 
young  friends,  that  I  almost  fear  to  be  felt  an  intruder. 

"  Oh,  no  ;  Louisa  has  been  giving  us  most  interesting 
accounts  ;  but  we  should  not  have  felt  them  so,  perhaps, 
if  we  had  not  had  your  instruction  before,  and  we  shall 
all  be  quite  happy  if  you  will  do  the  same  again." 

(I  was  pleased  to  find  this  remark  proceeding,  with 
some  animation,  from  the  boy  who  had  expressed  so 
much  surprise  at  my  invitation.) 

Au.  Henry,  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  feel  an  interest  in 
the  subject;  then  you  can  think  these  parties  for  religious 
instruction  are  capable  of  giving  pleasure  ? 

Henry.  I  do,  indeed  ;  but  we  are  all  quite  anxious  to 
see  old  Thomas,  for  Louisa  has  described  him  so  inter- 
estingly, that  I  wish  we  might  be  permitted  to  have  him 
in  the  room. 


132  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Charles  came  to  me  with  quickness,  and  receiving  my 
instructions,  went  out  to  bring  him  in.  In  the  mean  time 
I  asked  George  if  he  knew  any  Scripture  that  would 
teach  the  young  people  how  to  receive  the  old  man  ? 

George.  Yes,  uncle  ;  I  know  what  you  mean, 
"  Thou  shalt  rise  up  before  the  hoary  head,  and  honour 
the  face  of  the  old  man,  and  fear  thy  God."  Lev.  xix.  32. 

Au.  Thank  you,  George ;  this  reverence  for  the  old 
man,  remember,  is  a  part  of  the  duty  of  the  fifth  com- 
mandment; and  it  is  remarkable  how  the  Lord  strength- 
ens the  command  by  adding,  "  and  fear  thy  God,"  re- 
minding us  that  it  is  one  testimony  of  our  regard  to  his 
word.  And  if  you  show  him  this  token  of  respect,  let 
me  enjoin  you  to  do  it  with  attention,  and  quietly,  for 
fear  of  agitating  the  old  man,  who  has  not  been  used  to 
such  a  party. 

"  If  you  please,  uncle,"  said  Louisa,  "  as  I  hear  him 
near,  we  will  rise  in  readiness,  that  he  may  be  less  dis- 
composed." 

Au.    Do  so,  my  dear  girl. 

She  rose,  and  they  all  followed  her  example,  every 
eye  being  turned  to  the  door,  to  see  him  enter.  Fearful 
it  might  alarm  him  to  have  the  view  of  them  all  at  once, 
I  placed  myself  so  to  receive  him  as  to  intercept  the 
sight  of  half  the  room,  and  placed  him  in  a  chair  near 
the  entrance,  which  was  ready  for  him.  My  fears  were, 
however,  groundless ;  for  except  the  palsied  motion  of 
his  limbs,  he  was  calm  and  unmoved,  looking  round  him 
with  the  benignity  of  an  aged  saint,  engaged  in  desiring 
blessings  for  the  dear  young  people.  Jane  kept  close 
beside  him,  rather  frightened  ;  but  I  made  her  easy,  by 
reminding  her  of  her  duty  to  take  charge  of  her  grand- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  133 

father.    And  when  old  Thomas  was  comfortably  seat- 
ed, the  whole  party  was  soon  settled. 

I  immediately  began  conversation,  to  prevent  any 
awkward  embarrassment  arising,  and  said — 

"  We  welcome  you,  Thomas,  as  a  pilgrim  on  the  way 
to  heaven,  an  example  we  would  desire  to  follow." 

"  Sir,"  he  answered,  "  it  has  been  of  special  mercy  that 
I  cannot  say,  as  old  Jacob  said, '  Few  and  evil  have  been 
the  days  of  my  pilgrimage,'  I  have  had  so  many  bless- 
ings granted  to  me  ;  but  still,  if  the  way  through  this 
world  was  not  the  pathway  to  the  kingdom  of  Goo  and 
his  dear  Son,  I  should  think  it  a  dreary  way." 

Au.  Yes,  Thomas ;  sin  is  a  burden,  and  a  corrupti- 
ble body  is  a  clog  to  the  soul. 

Old  Thomas.  Ah,  Sir,  but  we  shall  put  off  corrup- 
tion, and  there  shall  be  no  more  sin. 

Then,  turning  to  my  young  friends,  I  said — "I  think 
our  last  conversation  ran  chiefly  upon  the  love  of  God, 
which  rendered  his  commandments  sweet  to  the  soul, 
and  made  the  duty  of  honouring  father  and  mother  a 
privilege  in  the  Lord.  We  also  spoke  a  little  on  the 
distinction  between  a  condition  and  a  promise;  I  think, 
therefore,  this  evening  we  will  follow  the  doctrine  of 
Love,  with  that  of  the  Promise,  two  things  combined, 
which  we  might  almost  say,  in  David's  language,  are 
"  as  honey  and  the  honeycomb." 

George,  will  you  repeat  the  text  in  Eph.  vi.  1,  2. 

George.  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother,  which 
is  the  first  commandment  with  promise." 

Au.    Now  I  wish  you  may  be  able,  my  young  friends, 
to  place  before  us  as  many  texts  as  you  can  recollect, 
which  bear  upon  this  subject,  connected  with  a  promise 
or  encouragement. 
12 


134  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

There  was  a  pause  of  a  minute  or  more,  some  being 
totally  unable,  from  their  ignorance  of  the  Word  of  God, 
and  others  backward  from  modesty  or  bashfulness. 

I  looked  to  Louisa,  and  she  said — 

"  Col.  iii.  20,  *  Children,  obey  your  parents  in  all 
things :  this  is  well-pleasing  unto  the  Lord,'  " 

Then  Charles  said,  "  The  principal  promise  is  that 
which  is  connected  with  the  commandment,  '  Honour 
thy  father  and  thy  mother,  that  thy  days  may  be  long 
in  the  land  which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee.' " 

Louisa.  Prov.  i.  8,  9,  "  My  son,  hear  the  instruction 
of  thy  father,  and  forsake  not  the  law  of  thy  mother ; 
for  they  shall  be  as  ornaments  of  grace  upon  thine  head, 
and  chains  about  thy  neck." 

When  Louisa  had  repeated  this  text,  I  looked  to  Anna, 
and  said,  "  See,  my  dear  Anna,  what  a  way  this  is  to 
attain  ornaments  and  chains,  '  The  instruction  of  thy 
father,  and  the  law  of  thy  mother.' " 

Au.  Do  you  remember  the  text  to  the  same  point  in 
Prov.  vi.  20—22? 

Charles,  after  a  moment's  recollection,  said,  " '  My 
son,  keep  thy  father's  commandment,  and  forsake  not 
the  law  of  thy  mother;  bind  them  continually  upon 
thine  heart,  and  tie  them  about  thy  neck :  when  thou 
goest  it  shall  lead  thee ;  when  thou  sleepest  it  shall 
keep  thee ;  and  when  thou  awakest  it  shall  talk  with 
thee.' " 

Au.  I  cannot  help  making  a  little  interruption  here, 
to  point  out  how  it  is  the  constant  plan  of  the  Scripture 
to  combine  both  father  and  mother  as  alike  entitled  to 
the  attention  and  honour  of  the  child  ;  for  some  children 
are  apt  to  feel  more  deference  for  one  than  the  other ; 
and  are  even  foolishly  brought  up  to  make  a  preference: 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  135 

a  sure  method  of  sowing  the  seeds  of  discord  in  a  family. 
But  you  must  observe,  that  the  Lord  makes  them  inse- 
parably united  in  this  command ;  and  this  points  out 
another  important  instruction,  which  is,  that  the  parents 
should  be  united  in  the  duties  they  owe  to  their  children. 
They  should  be  undivided  in  purpose  and  principle  ; 
the  instruction  of  the  father,  and  the  law  of  the  mother, 
must  be  of  the  same  nature,  and  tendency,  and  origin — 
of,  in,  and  to,  the  Lord  ;  so  that  it  is  remarkably  appli- 
ed as  if  they  were  one.  The  instruction  of  the  father, 
and  the  law  of  the  mother,  being  it,  that  shall  lead,  and 
keep,  and  talk  with  them— their  guide  and  counsellor ! 

(\gain  addressing  Anna,  I  added,)  Never  should  I 
think  you  so  well  ornamented,  my  dear  Anna,  as  when 
I  saw,  by  your  obedience  and  respect  to  the  wishes  of 
your  parents,  that  you  had  taken  them  to  be  the  medi- 
tation, the  counsel,  and  guide  of  your  way  in  the  Lord. 
It  is  easy,  my  dear  young  friends,  to  observe  the  differ- 
ence between  these  essential  and  internal  ornaments,  and 
those  vain,  costly,  but  indifferent,  exterior  decorations, 
which  are  bought  with  the  mammon  of  this  world,  and 
are  the  gifts  of  mere  fondness,  and,  perhaps,  the  offer-* 
ings  of  bribery.  The  one  fostering  every  foolish  and 
hurtful  passion  of  pride,  self-esteem,  and  vanity;  the 
other  cherishing  those  gracious  feelings  which  shall  be 
esteemed  by  the  Lord  himself  as  ornamental.  There- 
fore, be  attentive  to  these  sweet  precepts  of  the  Word  of 
God,  and  let  the  instruction  of  thy  father,  and  the  law 
of  thy  mother,  be  the  ornaments  of  your  head,  and  the 
chains  about  your  neck;  and  let  parents  take  care  that 
they  are  of  that  intrinsic  kind  which  are  dug  out  of  the 
rich  mine  of  the  Scriptures,  and  are  more  precious  than 
the  gold  of  Ophir ! 


136  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

There  is  another  kind  of  promise  attached  to  this  com- 
mand, and  if  George  had  pursued  his  text,  Eph.  vi.  1—3, 
to  the  proper  period,  he  would  have  repeated  it.  Do  you 
know  the  whole  connexion,  George? 

George.  Yes,  uncle ;  but  I  did  not  think  of  going  to 
the  end  :  I  will  now.  "  Children,  obey  your  parents 
in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right ;  Honour  thy  father  and 
mother,  which  is  the  first  commandment  with  promise, 
that  it  may  be  well  with  thee,  and  thou  mayestlive  long 
on  the  earth." 

Au.  You  observe  the  change  made  by  the  Apostle  in 
the  application  of  the  promise.  It  is  supposed  it  was  on 
account  of  its  being  addressed  to  the  Gentile  Church, 
who  had  not  the  promise  of  Canaan,  as  the  land  which 
the  Lord  promised  them.  And  as  the  Jews  were  about 
to  be  driven  out  of  the  land,  on  account  of  their  disobe- 
dience to  this  and  other  commandments  of  God,  it  was 
not  applicable  to  them  in  their  situation  at  that  time : 
though  the  command  still  stands,  with  all  its  promise,  to 
be  hereafter  fulfilled  to  them,  when  they  shall  turn  with 
their  whole  heart  to  the  Lord.  Long  life  is  the  pro- 
mise, and  when  we  live  in  Christ  it  is  a  blessing  in- 
deed, as  we  may  be  permitted  to  glorify  him.  There 
are  temporal  blessings  granted  to  an  obedient  spirit ;  we 
observe  them  continually  running  through  the  Scripture; 
and  of  this  particular  duty  between  parents  and  children 
it  is  frequently  added,  "that  it  may  go  well  with  thee 
and  with  thy  children,"  Deut.  xii.  28,  "when  thou  doest 
that  which  is  good  and  right."  And  we  perceive  that 
the  Apostle  has  combined  them  in  one  view;  "  This  is 
right ;"  "  That  it  may  be  well  with  thee,"  and  "  that 
thou  mayest  live  long  on  the  earth."    And  perhaps 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  137 

Charles  can  supply  me  with  a  text  that  will  corroborate 
this  truth,  that  obedience  in  the  Lord  is  godliness. 

George.  Thank  you,  uncle,  for  directing  my  mind 
by  the  last  connexion  of  your  question.  It  is  this,  you 
desire  to  have,  "  Godliness  is  profitable  to  all  things : 
having  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that 
which  is  to  come."  1  Tim.  iv.  8. 

Au.  Louisa,  there  is  a  disposition  of  grace  which  is 
marked  by  obedience  as  one  of  its  features.  Do  you 
know  what  it  is  ?  It  has  a  promise  even  beyond  living 
long  on  the  earth. 

Louisa.  The  disposition  of  meekness:  the  Lord 
says,  in  Matt.  v.  5,  "  Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall 
inherit  the  earth." 

Au.  These  promises  may  be  carried  far,  but  it  would 
not  suit  our  present  purpose  to  enlarge.  The  Proverb 
x.  27,  says,  "  The  fear  of  the  Lord  prolongeth  days, 
but  the  years  of  the  wicked  shall  be  shortened.  Bless- 
ed is  every  one  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  walketh  in 
his  ways ;  happy  shalt  thou  be,  and  it  shall  be  well  with 
thee." 

([  thought  it  was  now  time  to  indulge  the  young  peo- 
ple with  some  of  the  pious  conversation  of  old  Thomas, 
and  therefore  addressed  him.) 

You  see,  my  friend,  the  nature  of  our  engagement ; 
and  I  think  it  will  accord  well  with  the  nature  of  your 
ideas  of  the  importance  of  training  up  children  in  the 
Lord. 

Old  Thomas.  It  does,  Sir ;  and  to  that  there  is  a 
promise,  which  every  father  and  mother  should  lay 
hold  of,  because  it  is  a  stay  many  a  time  when  the  heart 
would  fail :  "  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go, 
and  he  will  not  depart  from  it  when  he  is  old."  And 
12* 


138  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

children  ought  to  think  of  this  when  they  dislike  any- 
thing at  present,  that  it  is  for  their  good  after,  even  to 
their  old  age ;  and  they  should  remember,  too,  what  a 
difficult  case  they  put  their  father  and  mother  in,  when 
they  won't  obey  willingly. 

Au.  I  dare,  say,  Thomas,  if  you  would  take  the  trou- 
ble to  relate  to  us  the  way  in  which  you  were  brought 
up,  it  would  afford  us  great  instruction. 

Old  Thomas.  I  don't  know,  Sir.  I  can  tell  you  tru- 
ly how  it  was ;  and  the  truth  of  one  case  often  hits  ano- 
ther, and  in  that  way  it  may  be  useful.  The  ladies  and 
gentlemen  must  pardon  my  plainness  of  speech. 

Au.    Truth  wants  no  ornament,  Thomas. 

Old  Thomas.  Well,  Sir,  it's  not  the  first  time  I've 
traced  the  goodness  of  God  from  the  beginning,  and  so 
I'm  the  more  ready  to  answer  your  desire. 

I  remember  well,  one  Sabbath  day,  going  down  to 
church  with  my  father.  We'd  got  up  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  dug  up  some  small  plants  which  were  wanted 
by  a  gentleman,  for  we've  been  gardeners  from  genera- 
tion to  generation,  and  my  father  said, ;'  We'll  take  them 
to  the  gentleman,  and  then  we'll  go  to  church."  He 
tied  the  plants  in  a  silk  handkerchief,  because  he  said  it 
wasn't  decent  to  carry  a  basket  on  a  Sunday ;  so  giving 
me  the  bundle  to  carry  with  one  hand,  and  he  himself 
taking  hold  of  the  other,  we  set  off.  I  was  about  nine 
years  old.  We  hadn't  gone  far  before  we  overtook  two 
like  ourselves,  father  and  son,  but  they  were  differently 
engaged.  My  father,  liking  company,  fell  into  the  same 
pace ;  and  I  remember  the  boy's  voice  and  questions  to 
this  day.     He  was  asking — 

"  But,  father,  why  do  you  go  to  church  ?  " 

"  Father.    To  worship  God,  John,  to  be  sure. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  139 

"  John.    And  why  do  you  worship  God,  father  ? 

"Father.  Because  God  is  very  good;  and  he  has 
been  gracious  to  us,  and  redeemed  us  from  sin,  and 
brought  us  out  of  darkness  and  misery  into  light  and 
happiness." 

The  boy  was  silent  a  little,  and  then  said,  "Tell  me, 
father,  again,  how  Jesus  redeemed  us." 

"  Father.  Yes,  my  boy,  I'll  tell  thee  again  and  again, 
in  God's  own  words :  He  redeemed  us  with  his  own 
blood.  He  was  taken  by  wicked  hands  and  nailed  to 
the  cross ;  they  put  a  crown  of  thorns  upon  his  head ; 
they  pierced  his  side.  It  was  done  by  wicked  hands, 
but  he  gave  himself  for  us. 

(I  remember  looking  in  the  boy's  face,  and  seeing 
tears  in  his  eyes.) 

"  John.  Then,  father,  did  the  blood  of  Jesus 
flow? 

"  Father.  Yes ;  his  head,  his  hands,  his  feet,  his 
pierced  side,  all  bled  for  sinners — for  wretched  sinners  1 

"  John.    For  me  and  you,  father? 

"  Father.  Yes,  my  boy ;  for  me  and  thee,  and  for 
thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  that  are  redeemed  with 
his  precious  blood. 

"  John.    Father,  I  love  the  Lord  Jesus  ! 

"  Father.    Will  you  serve  him,  John  ? 

11  John.    You'll  teach  me  how  to  serve  him  ? 

"  Father.  Yes,  John  ;  it  must  be  with  all  your 
heart,  and  all  your  soul,  and  all  your  mind,  and  all  your 
strength." 

Often,  Sir,  have  I  heard  my  father  tell  this  conversa- 
tion ;  and  he  said  it  made  a  cold  chill  run  through  him; 
he  said  he  felt  as  if  he  had  fallen  in  with  spirits  from 


140  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

another  world,  and  could  hardly  help  fancying  it  was 
not  real. 

They  got  over  a  style  that  was  in  the  by-way  to 
church ;  but  as  we  had  to  go  on  our  business,  we  kept 
the  highway  that  took  us  by  the  gentleman's  house.  I 
remember  my  father  didn't  speak  a  word  all  the  way  ; 
and  when  he  delivered  the  plants,  the  servant  asked  if 
he  was  ill;  but  he  said,  "  I'm  rather  sick,  but  it's  going 
off." 

We  went  to  church,  and  I  was  entertained  by  all  I 
saw ;  for  you'll  perceive,  Sir,  I  hadn't  been  trained  in 
the  way  I  should  go.  I  saw  the  boy  and  his  father  in 
the  next  pew,  but  was  surprised  to  see  him  looking  in 
his  father's  book,  and  singing  the  psalms  with  the  con- 
gregation. There  was  this  difference  between  him  and 
me— Tie  was  doing  something,  and  /  was  looking  at 
other  people's  doings. 

When  the  clergyman  got  up  into  the  pulpit  and  gave 
out  his  text,  the  father  found  it  in  the  Bible,  and  showed 
it  to  his  boy. 

When  service  was  over,  my  father  sat  still  as  if  he'd 
forgot  to  go;  so  I  took  him  by  the  hand,  and  said, 
"  Come,  father,  let's  go  away ;"  and  so  we  walked  back 
home.  I  was  surprised  my  father  didn't  speak,  but 
amused  myself  by  whistling  tunes.  I'm  more  particular 
in  telling  you  all  this,  Sir,  because  it  was  the  beginning 
of  that  bringing  up  he  gave  me  afterwards.  It  came  on 
a  rainy  evening,  so  nobody  came  in  to  talk,  and  my  fa- 
ther, and  mother,  and  brother,  and  sister,  were  all  at 
home.  My  mother  began  to  order  sister  Sally  to  put 
off  her  fine  Sunday  clothes,  as  we  should  not  see  any- 
body, and  she  refused  to  obey,  saying,  "  she  shouldn't." 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  141 

my  mother  flew  into  a  passion,  and  then  my  father  stopt 
her  by  saying — 

"  What  signifies  being  in  a  passion  1  it's  your  own 
fault ;  we'ye  never  taught  her  better." 

"  What  is  there  better  than  to  do  as  I  bid  her  7'Vsaid 
my  mother. 

My  father  bid  us  all  sit  down  quietly,  till  he  told  us 
something.  And  then,  in  a  very  grave  way,  he  told  us 
what  had  passed  in  his  mind,  saying,  "  I'm  convinced 
we  neither  know  how  to  do  our  own  duty,'  nor  to  teach 
the  children  their's,  and  I'll  seek  out  that  man,  and  beg 
him  to  teach  us." 

My  mother  said,  "  she  didn't  want  her  house  to  be 
turned  upside  down,  and  us  all  to  be  made  Methodists." 

But  my  father  did  what  he  said ;  and  next  day  he  took 
us  near  to  him,  and  confessed  his  sin  to  us  all,  for  his 
great  neglect  of  us ;  and  said,  "  Now  take  notice,  children, 
from  this  day  I  begin  a  new  course,  and  God  help  me  to 
worship  and  serve  him,  and  to  teach  you  to  do  so  too !" 

They  none  of  'em  fell  in  with  his  plan  but  me.  Poor 
brother  John  died  soon  after  of  the  small  pox  he  caught; 
and  sister  Sally  married  a  soldier,  and  after  a  hard  life 
died  in  America.  Many's  the  tears  my  father  shed  for 
them,  always  repenting  himself  before  God,  that  he  had 
left  them  so  long  to  get  hardened  in  ungodliness.  I  was 
the  youngest,  and  God  gave  grace  and  a  blessing  to  fix 
my  heart  on  my  father's  new  way.  But  my  mother  re- 
belled against  it  sadly,  for  a  long  time ;  so  that  many  a 
hard  thing  happened  to  me  ;  for  the  "  instruction  of  my 
father,  and  the  law  of  my  mother,"  were  quite  differ- 
ent, and  it  was  like  having  to  serve  two  masters.  My 
father  always  watched  me ;  for  my  temptation  was  to 
despise  my  mother,  because  she  didn't  take  the  same 


142  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

rule.  But  he  rebuked  me  sharply  for  that,  and  made 
me  always  explain  what  she  wanted,  and  then  made 
me  confess,  if  the  thing  was  a  right  thing,  I  must  do 
it,  and  honour  her  as  my  mother,  though  the  reason 
why  she  ordered  it  might  be  different  from  the  reason 
he  might  have ;  and,  except  when  it  was  anything  that 
interfered  with  my  duty  to  God,  he  always  made  me 
obey  3  and  often  gave  up  his  own  wishes,  when  contra- 
ry to  hers,  provided  duty  did  not  forbid  it. 

He  was  very  intimate  with  our  godly  neighbour,  and 
took  his  counsel  in  everything,  and  John  and  me  grew 
great  friends.  The  Bible  came  to  be  our  delight,  and 
we  loved  each  other  in  the  Lord  ;  and,  by  degrees,  eve- 
rything that  my  father  ordered  me  to  do,  or  taught  me, 
was  by  Bible  rules:  and  even  my  poor  mother  got 
subdued  in  time,  and  so  our  house  was  a  house  of 
peace,  for  Jesus,  the  Prince  of  Peace,  was  our  Lord 
and  our  God. 

Now  you  see,  Sir,  here  is  an  example  of  what  you 
said  about  the  promise  of  all  things  going  well  with 
thee,  which  shows  the  blessing  on  the  duty  of  parents 
to  children ;  and  if  master  Charles  would  look  at  the 
sixth  chapter  of  Deuteronomy,  and  read  from  the  twen- 
tieth verse,  he  will  see  how  our  godly  friend  fulfilled  the 
direction  of  God  to  his  son,  and  by  that  means  became 
a  blessing  to  my  father  and  me. 

Those  who  had  Bibles  with  them  instantly  turned  to 
the  passage  as  directed  by  Thomas,  and  Charles  read 
aloud  : — 

"  And  when  thy  son  asketh  thee  in  time  to  come,  say- 
ing, What  mean  the  testimonies,  and  the  statutes,  and 
the  judgments  which  the  Lord  our  God  hath  com- 
manded you,  then  thou  shalt  say  unto  thy  son,  We 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  143 

were  Pharaoh's  bondmen  in  Egypt  ;  and  the  Lord 
brought  us  out  of  Egypt  with  a  mighty  hand,  and  the 
Lord  showed  signs  and  wonders,  great  and  sore,  upon 
Egypt,  upon  Pharaoh,  and  upon  all  his  household,  be- 
fore our  eyes,  and  he  brought  us  out  from  them,  that  he 
might  bring  us  in  to  give  us  the  land  which  he  sware 
unto  our  fathers;  and  the  Lord  commanded  us  to  do 
all  these  statutes,  to  fear  the  Lord  our  God  for  our  good 
always,  to  preserve  us  alive,  as  it  is  this  day." 

An.  This  reference  (I  said,  turning  to  the  elder  part 
of  my  company)  is  one  that  has  always  been  most  in- 
teresting to  me,  and  by  it  I  have  many  times  been  di- 
rected, when  young  children  have  made  inquiries  of  a 
religious  nature,  to  be  full  and  explicit  in  answering 
these  inquiries.  I  have  often  heard  parents  say,  with  a 
mixed  kind  of  expression,  "Really,  my  children  some- 
times ask  me  questions  which  it  puzzles  me  to  answer." 
The  pride  they  feel  in  displaying  the  acuteness  of  their 
children's  understanding,  deceives  them  into  the  expo- 
sure of  their  own  ignorance  and  culpable  negligence  in 
not  being  prepared  to  answer  them.  I  have  often,  too, 
seen  them  teased  and  perplexed  with  the  multiplicity 
of  their  questions ;  and  through  absolute  indolence,  re- 
fuse to  satisfy  their  minds.  How  the  Lord  vindicates 
his  own  goodness,  by  showing  the  power  of  iniquity  in 
the  minds  of  children ;  and  it  is  remarkable,  I  think, 
that  they  are  particularly  inquisitive  on  religious  sub- 
jects. Satan  himself  hinders  them  not,  knowing  too 
well,  doubtless,  the  culpability  of  parents  on  this  head, 
and  that  they  either  will  not  satisfy  their  children,  or 
cannot,  or  treat  them  with  a  kind  of  indifference,  as  if 
their  questions  had  no  real  importance,  and  thus  they 
easily  train  them  to  infidel  carelessness  and  hardness. 


144  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

"  Sir,"  said  old  Thomas,  "  don't  you  think  that  the 
blessing  which  Jacob  gave  to  the  sons  of  Joseph,  his 
grandchildren,  was  a  beautiful  proof  that  he  had  told 
them  all  the  goodness  of  God,  and  that  they  knew  what 
he  meant  ?  Often  does  my  heart  burn  within  me  when 
I  think  of  it.  i  God,  before  whom  my  fathers,  Abraham 
and  Isaac,  did  walk,  the  God  which  fed  me  all  my  life 
long  unto  this  day,  the  Angel  who  redeemed  me  from 
all  evil,  bless  the  lads  !'  David,  too,  tells  of  the  teach- 
ing of  his  fathers.  '  We  have  heard  with  our  ears,  O 
God  ;  our  fathers  have  told  us  what  works  thou  didst 
in  their  days,  and  in  the  times  of  old?  Now,  Sir,  if  I 
may  speak  my  mind,  this  is  fit  conversation  for  parents 
with  children." 

Au.  It  is  so,  Thomas.  And  let  those  who  are  here 
be  encouraged  to  cultivate  this  holy  communion  con- 
cerning the  wonderful  works  of  God,  and  his  redeeming 
love ;  for  these  things  are  not  done  in  a  day.  Let  me 
urge  you ,  my  dear  young  people,  to  make  inquiries  of 
this  nature,  and  ask  your  fathers  what  they  mean  by 
their  religion,  and  their  profession,  that  you  may  not 
grow  up  like  mere  imitators  of  actions,  without  under- 
standing their  end  and  object.  Many  have  no  better 
reason  to  offer  why  they  go  through  certain  formalities 
of  religion,  than  "  I  do  it  because  my  father  did  it  be- 
fore me."  They  know  nothing  of  the  reason  why  their 
father  did  it,  or  of  the  meaning  of  their  profession  of  re- 
ligion. It  would  also  be  a  means  by  which  you  would 
learn  more  to  honour  your  father  and  mother,  seeing 
the  testimony  of  their  high  calling  of  God  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  that  they  were  leading  you  in  the  way  of 
everlasting  life.  And  may  you  strive  to  be  heirs  toge- 
ther of  the  same  glory. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  145 

We  must  not  fatigue  our  venerable  friend  too  much  ; 
and  if  he  is  not  the  worse  for  the  trouble  of  this  evening, 
perhaps  we  may  induce  him  to  join  us  again. 

"O,  do!  do!"  sounded  from  almost  all  the  young 
people. 

Au.  Now,  Charles  and  little  Jane,  resume  your  office, 
and  take  care  of  our  friend ;  let  him  have  refreshment, 
and  wait  quietly  till  his  son  Thomas  comes  for  him. 

Charles  went  to  him  immediately,  saying,  "  You  will 
promise,  Thomas,  to  come  to-morrow?" 

Old  Thomas.  My  dear  master  Charles,  "  Go  to  now, 
ye  that  say,  to-day  or  to-morrow  we  will  do  this  or 
that ;"  if  the  Lord  will,  I  shall  be  very  glad,  for  it  is  a 
cordial  to  my  heart  to  meet  in  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

He  was  slow  in  rising,  and  was  evidently  greatly  fa- 
tigued in  body,  though  full  of  energy  of  mind ;  and  all 
the  young  people  rose  up  again  before  the  hoary  head, 
and  seemed  "  to  honour  the  face  of  the  old  man,  and  to 
fear  God." 

Charles  offered  his  support,  and  he  was  soon  out  of 
the  room. 

Whilst  the  party  was  preparing  to  depart,  Mary  came 
up  to  me,  and  said,  "  I  wish  you  would  tell  me  what  will 
be  the  subject  for  to-morrow  evening." 

Au.    Why,  dear  Mary  ? 

Mary.  Because  I  should  like  to  see  if  I  could  find 
any  texts ;  not  to  say,  but  to  try  whether  I  shall  be  right 
or  not. 

Au.    I  think,  perhaps,  as  we  have  proceeded  upon 

Love  and  Promise,  we  must  now  look  to  the  threatening 

against  Disobedience;   for  you  know,  Mary,  we  must 

take  the  whole  Word,  and  not  select  such  parts  only  as 

13 


146  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

we  think  agreeable,  but  to  teach  as  God  teaches ;  this  is 
"  right?  is  it  not  ? 

She  smiled,  and  said,  "  Yes  ;  I  think  I  know  more  of 
the  threatenings  than  I  did  of  love  and  the  promise  ;  but 
I  am  very  grateful  to  you  for  showing  me  these." 

Au.  Be  upright,  then,  my  dear  girl,  in  seeking  this 
sweet  principle  of  grace,  and  you  shall  receive  the  Pro- 
mise, and  be  saved  from  the  punishment. 

Just  at  that  moment,  I  saw  Anna  make  a  refractory 
movement  against  some  counsel  from  her  mother,  and  I 
went  up  to  her. 

Au.  Anna,  let  the  "law  of  thy  mother  lie  as  chains 
on  thy  neck,"  a  golden  chain  to  bend  you  to  her  in  the 
obedience  of  love. 

She  submitted  instantly,  but  coloured  deep. 

I  wanted  to  say  a  word  to  Maria,  and  she  soon  gave 
me  the  opportunity.  Her  mamma  was  tying  a  handker- 
chief round  her  neck,  to  guard  her  from  the  cold  ;  but 
she  forced  away  the  hand,  and  quickly  pulling  off  the 
handkerchief,  threw  it  familiarly  over  her  mamma's 
shoulder,  and  then  kissed  her  hand  passionately. 

Au.    Is  that  "  all  for  love?  Maria,  tell  me  truly? 

(She  looked  as  if  conscious  of  detection.) 

I  think  it  is  for  love,  but  it  is  the  worst  kind  of  love, 
which  is  that  of  self.  It  will  be  for  love,  if,  honouring 
your  mamma's  kind  motive,  you  take  the  handkerchief 
and  tie  it  on. 

Anna.  Oh !  yes,  I  will  tie  it  on,  mamma.  There  now, 
mamma,  take  care  of  yourself. 

Au.  That's  not  where  your  mamma  desired  to 
have  it. 

Anna.  No ;  but  /  do  not  want  it ;  I  shall  not  take 
eold. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  147 

Au.  You  have  no  promise  that  it  shall  be  well  with 
thee,  unless  you  do  with  it  as  your  mamma  wishes. 

She  looked  at  me,  and  observed  the  expression  of  my 
eye;  she  saw  it  determined  upon  the  point,  and  draw- 
ing the  handkerchief  off  her  mamma,  said — 

"  Oh,  I  can  carry  the  handkerchief,  but  I  do  not  want 
it  on  my  neck." 

Au.  No  j  but  your  mamma  does.  (Seeing  her  ob- 
stinate, I  said,)  Come,  I  will  tie  it  on  for  you ;  and  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  that  whilst  /  save  you  the  trouble,  I  also 
prevent  you  from  showing  the  proof  of  true  love,  which 
would  be  to  obey  your  parent  in  the  Lord. 

The  point  was  gained :  she  looked  softened,  her  eye 
fell,  and  she  was  evidently  self-condemned ;  though  the 
pride  of  her  heart  made  it  also  evident  that  she  felt  the 
soft  silk  handkerchief  like  a  yoke. 

The  party  was  soon  dispersed,  and,  as  before,  our 
own  young  people  talked  over  among  themselves  the 
whole  subject  of  the  evening. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Reverence  for  the  Command  of  God  and  the  love  of 
his  Promise,  the  only  security  for  cheerful  and 
uniform  obedience  in  children. 

Pursuing  my  engagements,  I  was  out  early  the  next 
morning ;  and  it  was  not  long  before,  passing  a  cottage 
door,  I  heard  a  woman,  in  a  complaining  tone  of  voice, 
say — 

"  Take  the  child,  then,  do !  now  then,  Hannah,  I  wish 


148  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

you'd  take  the  child  !"  The  door  was  wide  open  ;  and  I 
saw  a  girl,  of  about  eight  years  old,  standing  and  indo- 
lently tapping  with  the  back  of  an  old  spoon  on  the  seat 
of  a  wooden  chair. 

"  Hannah,  then,  why  don't  you  take  the  child  ?  I  wish 
I  could  make  you  come,  and  take  it :  I  am  tired  to  death, 
and  all  my  washing's  to  do." 

The  girl  came  to  the  door,  and  taking  up  an  old  knife, 
she  began  to  cut  a  bit  of  stick  and  to  scatter  the  chips 
all  about  the  entrance. 

"  I  shall  tell  father  of  you,  when  he  comes  in  from 
his  work,  and  you'll  see  then  !" 

The  girl  looked  back  into  the  house;  then  threw  down 
the  knife  and  stick,  and  walking  into  the  road,  began  to 
dip  her  foot  into  a  channel  in  which  some  water  had 
stood,  as  if  to  try  how  deep  she  could  go  without  letting 
the  water  enter  into  her  shoe  at  the  top. 

The  action  of  the  girl  led  me  to  imagine  that  she  was 
the  Hannah  whom  the  mother  from  within  was  talking 
to ;  and  going  up  to  her,  T  asked  her  name. 

Girl.    They  call  me  Hannah  Joblin. 

Au.    Do  you  live  there  1  (pointing  to  the  house.) 

Hannah.    Yes. 

Au.    Is  your  mother  at  home  ? 

Hannah.    Yes. 

Au.    Has  she  a  baby? 

Hannah.    Yes. 

These  short  answers  were  given  without  the  smallest 
token  of  respect,  she  staring  in  my  face.  These  indica- 
tions were  sufficient  reasons  for  my  endeavouring  to 
make  acquaintance ;  so  taking  the  girl  by  the  hand,  I 
said,  "  Come,  go  in  with  me."  She  did  not  seem  very 
willing ;  but  as  I  led  the  way,  she  was  constrained  to  ac- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  149 

company  me.    I  tapped  against  the  door  to  prepare  the 
woman  for  my  visit,  and  then  went  in. 

She  was  setting  on  a  low  stool,  by  the  fire,  trying  to 
get  the  baby  to  sleep,  with  a  cross  and  fretful  counte- 
nance. The  breakfast  things  were  all  scattered  about  on 
the  table  and  chairs,  and  the  whole  appearance  indicated 
little  management  or  order. 

She  rose,  with  her  child  in  her  arms,  and  said,  in  a 
fretful  voice — 

"  I'm  sorry,  Sir,  you're  come  when  I'm  so  untidy. 
Make  haste,  Hannah,  <Zo,  and  put  away  the  things,  and 
wipe  down  the  table." 

(Hannah  only  stood  staring  with  the  utmost  indiffer- 
ence.) 

"  Oh  !  dear  me  !  you're  such  a  lass  !  sit  down,  then, 
on  the  stool,  and  take  the  child  till  he's  asleep." 

Hannah  vouchsafed  to  sit  down,  and  without  making 
any  attempt  to  take  the  baby,  suffered  her  mother  to  put 
it  on  her  lap,  and  she  held  it  on  without  any  intention  to 
nurse  it.  The  mother,  mean  time,  emptied  a  chair, 
wiped  it,  and  then  setting  it  at  a  little  distance  from  the 
table  said,  "  Pray  be  seated,  Sir.  If  you  please,  Sir,  did 
you  want  my  husband  ?  " 

Au.  No;  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  had  no  other  busi- 
ness than  to  bring  your  Hannah  in  to  take  the  baby. 

She  looked  surprised.  I  continued,  "  I  should  suppose 
you  have  some  difficulty  in  managing  your  children ; 
Hannah  does  not  appear  to  be  obedient  to  her  mother?" 

Wishing,  like  many  foolish  mothers,  to  conceal  the 
true  state  of  the  case,  she  began  to  gloss  over  matters, 
by  saying,  "  Why,  Sir,  you  see  she's  but  a  child  yet,  I 
makes  excuses  for  her ;  she's  very  good  sometimes ;  but 
when  she's  a  bit  stupid  she  wants  her  own  way," 
13* 


150  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

She  looked  at  her,  and  so  did  I ;  and  the  girl  looking 
into  her  mother's  face  with  bold  steadfastness,  as  if  to 
say  she  would  watch  all  she  said,  began,  however,  to 
betray  strong  feeling  of  some  kind;  for  the  colour  rose 
in  her  cheeks,  which  continued  deepening,  until  it  was 
perfect  crimson. 

Au.  I  heard  you  threaten  that  you  would  tell  her  fa- 
ther ;  I  fancy  you  did  not  really  intend  to  tell  him  ? 

Mrs.  J.  Why,  you  see,  Sir,  I  oft  is  obliged  to  threaten 
her ;  but  I  don't  like  to  tell  her  father,  he  is  so  very  an- 
gry that  then  he  beats  her;  and  I  don't  like  to  see  him 
beat  her ;  you  see,  Sir,  men  strikes  a  deal  harder  than 
they  think. 

Au.    Then  you  do  tell  him  sometimes? 

Mrs.  J.  Why  yes;  but  then,  you  see,  if  he's  about 
to  beat  her,  I  gets  between  'em,  and  sometimes  I  gets 
the  stick  out  of  his  hand. 

Au.    Then  she  never  obeys  you? 

Mrs.  J.    Oh !  yes,  sometimes  she  does. 

Au.  I  think  I  could  say  with  certainty,  that  she 
never  does ;  for  when  she  happens  to  do  the  thing  you 
want,  it  is  not  because  you  want  it,  but  because  she  her- 
self likes  to  do  it. 

Mrs.  J.  Why,  Sir,  may  be ;  but  it's  all  the  same  thing 
if  she  does  it. 

Au.  By  no  means  the  same  thing;  for  if  she  did  it 
to  please  you,  and  because  it  was  her  duty,  she  would 
always  do  so ;  but  if  it's  to  please  herself,  then  it  is  just 
as  it  may  happen,  and  I  should  suppose  that  it  very  sel- 
dom so  happens,  as  she  is  better  pleased  with  knocking 
a  chair,  or  cutting  a  stick,  or  dipping  her  shoes  in  wet. 
I  saw,  just  now,  four  things  she  liked  to  do  better  than 
to  attend  to  your  wishes.    I  wish  for  the  child's  sake  as 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  151 

well  as  your's,  that  you  had  a  better  plan  of  teaching  her 
her  duty.    Do  you  teach  her  her  duty  to  God  ? 

Mrs.  J.  Her  father  takes  that  part ;  and  he  takes 
pains  to  instruct  'em,  though  he  isn't  learned. 

Au.  Does  he  teach  her  the  law  of  God,  and  the  law 
of  Jesus  ? 

Mrs.  J.    He  often  talks  to  her  about  it. 

Au.  Has  he  ever  taught  you  the  fifth  commandment, 
Hannah:  "  Honour  thy  father  and  mother  ?"  (She  did 
not  answer.)  Did  he  ever  teach  you  the  Word  of  God, 
which  says,  "  Children,  obey  your  parents  ?"  (Still  no 
answer.)  From  your  mother's  account,  I  suppose  he 
has.  Then  how  do  you  fulfil  his  instructions,  or  show 
your  love  or  fear  of  God  ?  See  what  a  sinful  child  you 
are,  who  love  your  own  perverse  will  better  than  your 
father's  instructions,  or  than  the  word  and  law  of  God. 

Do  you  know,  (I  said  to  the  mother,)  that  you  have 
a  right  given  you  from  God,  to  command  the  obedience 
of  your  children  % 

Mrs.  J.    I  suppose  so,  Sir. 

Au.  But  how  hard  you  make  it  for  a  sinful  child  to 
obey,  when  you  don't  claim  your  right,  but  only  speak 
to  her  as  if  it  was  for  her  to  choose  whether  she  will  or 
will  not  obey.  You  should  keep  her  in  the  right  way 
by  commanding  what  God  commands,  and  not  say — 
"  I  wish  you  would" — or  ask,  as  if  it  was  a  favour — 
"  Do,  Hannah" — or  let  her  take  her  own  indolent  way. 
She  cares  not  for  your  saying,  "  Come,  and  do,"  be- 
cause she  knows,  however  you  may  wish  it,  you  will 
not  enforce  it.  She  cares  not  for  your  threatening  to 
tell  her  father,  because  she  knows  by  experience  that 
you  do  not  mean  what  you  say.  She  cares  not  for  her 
father's  anger,  because  she  knows  that  you  yourself, 


152  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

whom  she  has  offended,  will  interfere  to  stop  the  chas- 
tening, and  to  prevent  her  being  punished.  And  she 
cares  not  for  God,  at  all,  because  she  is  a  sinful  child, 
and  you  do  not  prove  to  her  that  you  either  love,  or 
serve,  or  fear  God  yourself.  If  you  did  but  think  of  it 
rightly,  you  would  see  that,,  you  are  bringing  up  your 
child  by  a  system  of  lies ;  and  then,  even,  when  you 
know,  and  she  knows,  how  wicked  she  is  in  her  disobe- 
dience, before  her  very  face  you  make  a  lying  excuse 
for  her ;  and  that  is  a  strange  way  of  gaining  the  honour 
and  obedience  of  your  child. 

Mrs.  J.  Why,  Sir,  I  can't  help  thinking  you  make  a 
serious  matter  of  a  very  little  thing.  It  was  but  about 
nursing  the  baby. 

Au.  You  will  feel  the  consequence  of  this  method, 
if  you  do  not  change  it.  The  act  of  disobedience  is  the 
same,  whether  in  great  or  in  little  things ;  but  you  only 
look  at  the  consequences  to  yourself,  which  are  differ- 
ent; so  you  are  as  selfish  as  she  is.  And  when  your 
child  shall  be  running  headlong  in  all  the  sins  of  her  na- 
ture, do  you  think  she  will  then  turn  when  you  say,  "I 
wish  you  would,  Hannah" — "Do,  then,  Hannah,  do?" 
Or  will  she  think  of  disobedience  as  a  sin,  when  you 
offer  excuses  and  say,  "  Oh  !  when  she's  not  a  bit  stupid, 
she'll  be  better  ?"  Foolish  woman,  remember  the  word 
of  God  :  "A  child  left  to  himself,  bringeth  his  mother 
to  shame."  I  should  like  to  see  your  husband ;  when 
will  he  be  at  home  ? 

"  At  dinner  time,"  she  answered. 

Au.  Tell  him,  when  he  comes  in,  that  I  -wish  to  speak 
with  him,  if  he  will  keep  in  the  way ;  but  not  to  wait, 
if  I  should  be  prevented  by  anything  from  coming. 

"  Very  well,  Sir,"  she  answered ;  and  I  took  leave. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  153 

I  thought  I  might  be  allowed  the  liberty  of  speaking 
a  little  seriously  to  Mrs.  Evans,  as  she  had  taken  an  in- 
terest in  our  conversation,  and  with  this  hope  directed 
my  steps  to  her  house.  She  received  me  very  courte- 
ously, even  in  a  friendly  manner,  and  immediately  sent 
a  servant  to  inform  Mrs.  Graham  that  I  was  there. 

"  You  find  us  quite  alone  this  morning,"  she  said ; 
"  we  have  sent  all  our  young  people  on  an  excursion  of 
pleasure,  which  will  keep  them  out  the  whole  day  ;  and 
Henry  is  to  be  the  father  of  the  party.  I  have  made 
this  use  of  our  instruction,  and  invested  him  with  au- 
thority for  the  day  ;  they  all  promising  obedience  to 
him,  and  he  promising  to  observe  all  the  directions  I  gave 
him  by  which  to  conduct  them,  and  I  really  hope  this  lit- 
tle manoeuvre,  in  a  playful  way,  will  be  of  use,  and  they 
will  all  return  home  safe,  and  happy,  which  is  not  often 
the  case  in  these  parties  of  pleasure." 

Mrs.  Graham  entered  the  room,  and  seemed  pleased 
to  see  mo, 

Mrs.  G.  I  will  tell  you  how  I  was  engaged  when  I 
was  informed  of  your  visit ;  I  was  actually  endeavouring 
to  make  memorandums  of  the  subjects  which  interested 
me  most  at  our  last  meeting,  and  sending  them  in  a  let- 
ter to  my  friend. 

Au.  As  their  importance  consists  in  their  being  ac- 
cording to  the  counsels  of  God,  I  am  happy  to  find  you 
are  so  engaged.  At  the  moment  you  entered  I  was  lis- 
tening to  the  method  Mrs.  Evans  has  adopted  this  morn- 
ing for  the  safety  and  happiness  of  the  young  party,  and 
I  could  not  help  being  struck  forcibly  with  its  analogy 
to  the  ways  of  God  himself. 

Mrs.  Evans  looked  exceedingly  pleased,  and  with  a 


154  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

sort  of  expression  of  self-satisfaction,  as  if  she  received 
the  remark  as  a  high  compliment,  she  said, 

;'  Oh  !  yon  will  see,  when  you  know  us  better,  we  are 
not  so  ungodly  as  you  supposed ;  I  know  you  think  we 
are  all  sad  sinners  !" 

I  gravely  said,  "  It  is  too  true  ;  but  as  I  include  myself 
in  the  sad  number,  you  will  not  be  so  much  offended 
that  I  confess  the  truth." 

She  shrugged  her  shoulders,  and  with  a  half  smile 
said,  "You  are  at  present  a  sort  of  privileged  man, 
therefore  I  shall  make  no  answer." 

Au.  May  I  inquire  how  you  will  feel,  supposing  you 
find  in  the  evening  that  Henry  has  failed  in  his  delegated 
authority,  and  the  young  people  have  all  disobeyed  the 
rules  laid  down,  and  have  fallen  into  the  mischief  likely 
to  ensue,  of  accidents,  as  they  are  called,  wearied  bodies, 
torn  clothes,  colds  caught,  and  a  thousand  nameless  evils, 
all  resulting  from  want  of  obedience  ? 

Mrs.  E.  Oh !  very  justly,  I  should  be  exceedingly 
indignant,  both  with  Henry  and  the  whole  party,  for 
turning  what  was  meant  for  pleasure  and  happiness  into 
an  event  of  pain  and  distress. 

Au.  Enough  !  I  have  obtained  a  concession  from 
yourself,  which  is  sufficient  for  our  present  purpose. 
You,  my  dear  madam,  stand  exactly  in  the  situation  of 
Henry.  Your  authority  is  a  delegated  one,  given  for  a 
temporary  period,  and  you  will  have  to  appear  at  its 
close  with  your  charge ;  the  state  in  which  it  will  be  pre- 
sented will  speak  much  for  the  method  in  which  you 
have  endeavoured,  or  not  endeavoured,  to  discharge  the 
responsibilities  laid  upon  you.  It  is  for  you  that  Henry 
is  expected  to  act.    It  is  in  reference  to  your  charge 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  155 

upon  him,  that  the  young  people  are  expected  to  obey, 
and  it  is  to  you  they  are  all  to  return. 

Mrs.  E.  You  are  so  quick,  my  dear  Sir,  in  turning 
these  things  to  your  own  advantage,  that  it  is  in  vain  to 
think  of  making  an  escape. 

Au.  But,  dear  madam,  I  entreat  you  to  suffer  the  per- 
petual desire  you  have  for  that  turn  in  conversation 
which  shall  tend  to  amusement,  to  be  subjected  at  pre- 
sent to  the  most  serious  and  important  application  I  wish 
to  be  permitted  to  make.  Compare  your  own  situation 
with  that  of  our  young  friend  Henry.  You  are  a  real 
mother:  the  Lord  himself  has  given  you  the  authority 
of  your  station  ;  upon  his  own  supreme  authority  he 
has  deputed  you  the  guardian,  instructer,  and  protector 
of  your  children,  giving  you  certain  positive  rules  in  his 
written  Word,  by  which  to  discharge  the  duties  of  your 
appointment.  I  fear  you  have  not  thought  of  this  as 
you  ought,  but  finding  yourself  a  mother,  are  contented 
to  occupy  the  station  without  regard  to  its  peculiar  du- 
ties, as  respects  the  Lord,  not  reflecting  whence  you 
derive  it,  for  what  purposes,  or  to  what  end.  Should 
you  continue  so  to  neglect  it,  what  can  be  the  conse- 
quence, but  a  deplorable  return  of  you  and  your  chil- 
dren to  the  Lord,  without  the  benefits  obtained  which 
are  pledged  on  promise,  and  with  all  the  superadded 
miseries  of  personal  transgression  upon  the  sin  of  your 
natural  condition  ? 

Mrs.  E.  My  dear  Sir,  pardon  me ;  but  you  forget 
we  have  the  intercession  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  whose 
mercy  I  trust. 

Au.  Alas !  it  is  a  sad  evidence  of  our  interest  in  that 
blood,  when  it  is  not  sought  in  its  sanctifying  effects,  for 
the  gracious  purpose  of  walking  in  His  ways,  and  train- 


156  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

ing  your  dear  children  in  the  way  they  should  go.  Lei 
me  entreat  you  to  combine  in  your  view  of  the  mercy 
of  God,  privilege,  grace,  and  duty ;  and  to  bear  in  mind, 
that  as  you  designed  that  your  children,  in  this  day's 
grant,  should  find  pleasure  and  happiness,  so  hath  God 
himself  shown  us  how  all  our  paths  may  be  pleasantness 
and  peace. 

She  was  silent,  and  Mrs.  Graham,  as  if  to  relieve  her 
friend,  took  part  in  the  conversation,  by  saying,  "  I  do 
assure  you  that  you  have  awakened  in  my  mind  some 
alarming  reflections  concerning  my  own  responsibilities; 
and  some  heavy  pangs  we  are  now  suffering  from  the 
froward  conduct  of  one  child  and  the  almost  reprobate 
turn  of  my  eldest  son,  have  sharpened  those  convictions 
with  a  double  edge."    She  sighed  in  bitterness  of  soul. 

"  I  have  often  told  you,"  Mrs.  Evans  said,  "  that  your 
plan  was  a  bad  one ;  you  have  always  left  your  children 
to  others,  and  I  knew  they  would  never  love  you.  For 
my  part,  I  have  always  kept  mine  at  home,  and  sought 
their  pleasure  in  everything;  and  so  they  know  that  it 
is  through  me  that  they  derive  all  their  pleasure.  I  dare 
say  this  is  not  exactly  what  our  friend  would  approve, 
but  it  is  the  better  plan  of  the  two. 

Au.  We  can  make  no  favourable  comparisons,  when 
in  both  plans  the  will  and  command  of  God  is  left  out 
of  the  question.  In  such  Cases,  sooner  or  later,  the 
misery  must  come. 

Mrs.  G.  I  have  opened  my  case  to  many  friends, 
whom  I  thought  capable  of  advising  or  comforting  me, 
but  I  get  no  other  comfort  than  that  which  is  afforded  by 
the  detail  of  their  own  sufferings  from  the  same  causes ; 
and  in  fact,  I  believe,  if  we  knew  the  secrets  of  other 
families  there  are  few  that  are  not  suffering  in  the  same 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  157 

way,  or  preparing  suffering  for  the  future,  by  their  bad 
method  of  bringing  up  their  children. 

"  The  fact  is,"  I  said,  ft  that  the  love  of  a  child  to  its 
parent  has  not  the  same  instinctive  origin  with  that  of 
the  parent  towards  his  child.  It  must  arise  either  from 
high  moral  feeling,  or  from  a  religious  principle ;  the  one 
serves  beautifully  for  a  present  purpose  of  time,  the 
other  for  the  eternal  purpose  of  time  and  eternity.  Both 
are  to  be  cultivated,  though  the  dispositions  are  from 
God  ;  and  that  cultivation  should  commence  from  the 
first,  whilst  the  children  hang  dependant  upon  the  pa- 
rent, and  before  they  can  reflect  for  themselves  on  the 
necessity  and  duty  of  it;  and  the  superiority  of  the  reli- 
gious training  to  that  of  the  moral  is  such,  as  to  lay  the 
deep  charge  of  guilt  on  the  head  of  that  parent  who  does 
not  so  consult  for  the  good  of  his  child  as  to  adopt  that 
which  is  of  God.  These  things  account  for  the  estrange- 
ment of  children  from  their  parents ;  and  that  while  the 
parent's  heart  yearns  with  perpetual  anxiety  after  the 
child,  the  child  can  forget  the  parent  who  fostered  it  in 
its  earliest  years.  The  heart  of  the  parent  is  naturally 
always  going  after  the  child,  but  the  child's  heart  is, 
alas !  too  often  going  away  from  the  parent.  How  ne- 
cessary, then,  is  it,  that  the  parent  should  lose  no  time 
or  opportunity  to  lead  the  affections  of  their  children, 
first,  by  grace  towards  the  Lord,  and  then  in  him  to 
themselves. 

Mrs.  G.  Oh,  it  would  be  happy,  indeed,  if  our  chil- 
dren loved  us  as  we  love  them  ! 

Au.    May  I  draw  your  attention  to  this  once  more. 

They  are  not  likely  to  love  you  as  you  do  them ;  but  if  you 

will  seek  the  true  Spirit  of  Love  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 

and  love  them  with  the  love  that  is  of  God,  then  you 

14 


158  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

may  indulge  a  hope  that  they  shall  love  you  as  you  do 
them,  even  in  the  Lord. 
Mrs.  G.    What  shall  we  do.? 

Au.  Begin  anew ;  relinquish  all  the  false  principles 
you  have  hitherto  acted  upon ;  explain  to  them  why  ; 
pray,  read,  and  teach,  taking  the  counsel  of  God,  seek- 
ing the  grace  of  Jesus,  and  the  enlightening  and  strength- 
ening influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Mrs.  G.  But  how  can  I  draw  my  children  in  ? 
Au.  Such  a  revolution  in  your  house  and  in  your 
plans  will  attract  their  attention.  The  example  of  your 
love  and  obedience  to  God  will  operate  on  them;  and 
they  will,  perhaps,  submit  to  the  sway  of  that  King 
whom  you  show  them  that  you  have  placed  on  the 
throne  of  your  heart.  At  least,  these  are  the  means : 
Trust  to  the  Lord,  be  consistent,  and  steady  j  and 
wait  for  the  blessing. 

I  rose  to  go,  and  with  a  heavy  sigh  Mrs.  Graham  gave 
me  her  hand,  whilst  Mrs.  Evans  politely  wished  me 
good  morning. 

I  arrived  at  Joblin's  cottage  just  as  he  had  finished  his 
dinner.  Hannah  was  nursing  the  baby  attentively,  and 
the  mother  was  putting  all  away. 

He  got  up  from  his  seat  to  receive  me,  and  offered  me 
a  chair. 

Au.  I  will  lose  no  time,  my  friend,  in  telling  my  er- 
rand : — it  is  to  talk  with  you  on  the  bringing  up  of  your 
children,  and  to  press  the  necessity  of  training  them  up 
according  to  God's  Word. 

Mr.  J.  Sir,  it's  all  my  desire ;  if  they  are  but  the  chil- 
dren of  God,  I'm  happy  about  all  else. 

Au.  May  I  ask,  Do  you  endeavour  to  do  it,  as  well 
as  desire  it? 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  159 

Mr.  J.  I  do,  Sir ;  but  I've  sad  hindrance.  I've  my 
work  to  mind  ;  and  when  I'm  away  I'm  forced  to  leave 
'em  to  their  mother,  and  she  grieves  me  sore  in  this, 
that  we're  not  of  one  mind ;  and  she  don't  see,  nor  I 
can't  make  her  see,  how  needful  it  is  that  we  be  agreed ; 
so  as  fast  as  I  gets  a  hold  o'  the  children,  she  undoes  it 
all  again.  I'm  sure  I'm  clean  beat ;  and  my  heart's  sad 
and  sore,  many  a  time,  to  think  on't :  for  I  know  the  end 
of  unruly  children — that  God's  curse  must  come  on  'em. 
It's  hard,  Sir,  to  think  of  bringing  children  into  the 
world  to  see  'em  run  headlong  to  destruction. 

Au.  It  is,  indeed ;  but  what's  the  reason  your  wife 
don't  see  what  is  best  ? 

"I  know  not,"  he  said,  with  a  sigh;  "but  she  frets 
and  frelf ,  and  teazes  and  teazes ;  the  children  can  never 
please  her — either  they  do  nought,  or  they  don't  do 
right.  She  scolds  from  morning  to  night,  and  yet  ne- 
ver makes  'em  do  aught  as  she'd  have  'em ;  and  they're 
all  unhappy  together ;  and  it  makes  me  miserable.  If 
they're  to  be  thrashed,  I'm  to  thrash  'em :  and  then, 
when  I'd  make  'em  do,  she  won't  have  'em  touched ; 
and  though  the  children  would  do  aught  /  tell  'em,  she 
never  gets  'em  to  mind  her." 

Au.    This  is  a  sad  evil. 

Mr.  J.  Yes,  it  is,  Sir ;  and  makes  me  so  that  I've  no 
pleasure  in  my  home.  The  children  are  always  crying, 
or  else  they're  saucy;  and  she  goes  maunder,  maunder 
— grumble,  grumble — fretting  and  teazing,  day  in,  and 
day  out. 

Au.  I  wish  I  could  engage  you  to  think  (I  said,  turn- 
ing to  the  mother)  of  the  necessity  of  changing  these 
bad  habits.    Do  endeavour  to  be  of  one  mind  with  your 


160  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

husband,  and  resolutely  bring  up  your  children  in  the 
fear  and  love  of  God,  and  in  obedience  to  you. 

Mrs.  J.  I  wish  I  could  make  'em  obedient ;  John 
knows  that's  all  I  want.  I  complain  only  because  they 
won't  do  as  I'd  have  'em. 

Au.  I  tell  you  what  I  suspect ; — first,  that  you  never 
think  of  God  in  this  matter ;  you  neither  desire  to  make 
your  children  serve  him,  nor  do  so  yourself; — and  next, 
that  you  are  exceedingly  indolent,  and  do  not  like  the 
trouble  of  training  them  in  the  right  way. 

Mrs.  J.  I  don't  know,  Sir;  but  I'm  sure  I  beat  'em 
oft  myself,  and  tell  'em  what  to  do. 

Au.  But  you  beat  them,  I  suspect,  not  so  much  for 
their  own  fault  as  for  your  own  vexation,  when  you  can 
bear  no  longer:  and,  after  all,  I  dare  say,  do  rtt)t  make 
them  do  the  thing  you  contend  about.  And  when  chil- 
dren get  into  that  habit  of  disobedience,  they  do  not  care 
for  the  beating,  in  comparison  with  the  wicked  pleasure 
of  having  their  own  way. 

What  makes  Hannah  nurse  the  child  now  so  well? 

Mrs.  J.  Oh,  because  her  father's  here ;  she  knows  he 
will  have  it  done  as  he  says. 

Au.  And  therefore  she  obeys.  But,  Hannah,  how 
much  happier  it  would  be  if  you  always  obeyed  both 
father  and  mother,  because  the  Lord  has  ordered  you 
to  do  so.  Why,  my  child,  do  you  not  lay  it  to  heart, 
that  it  is  written  in  the  word  of  the  Lord,  "  Honour  thy 
father  and  thy  mother."  I  do  not  doubt  you  see  the 
fault  of  your  mother,  because  you  take  advantage  of  it; 
but  if  you  would  remember  your  own  duty,  and  for  the 
honour  you  bear  your  mother,  would  obey  her  desires, 
counting  the  wishes  of  your  mother  equal  to  commands, 
yoa  would  soon  find  how  much  happier  you  would  be, 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  161 

and  how  it  would  tend  to  improve  your  mother's  tem- 
per and  manners.  Will  you  promise  me  to  try  one 
thing  ? 

(She  was  attentive,  but  did  not  reply.) 

Will  you  promise  me  to  try,  when  your  mother  says, 
"  J  wish"  and,  "  do  now,  Hannah,"  to  consider  it  the 
same  thing  as  if  she  ordered  you  with  the  same  autho- 
rity as  your  father.  It  is  your  duty  to  obey  mother  as 
well  as  father :— Will  you  try  ? 

She  whispered  "  Yes." 

Au.  And  will  you  try  another  thing?  To  remember, 
when  you  are  naughty,  and  your  mother  threatens  to 
tell  your  father,  though  you  think  she  will  not ;— Will 
you  remember,  that  God  knows  without  telling.  He 
sees  and  knows  all  things ;  his  eye  is  upon  you  while 
you  are  doing  wrong ;  and  it  is  an  awful  thing  to  sin 
against  God.  He  has  commanded  you  to  honour  and 
obey  your  father  and  mother,  and  when  you  do  not, 
you  sin  against  God. 

(As  I  saw  I  had  gained  her  attention,  I  continued — ) 
You  may  remember,  also,  that  God  sees  you  when  you 
are  obedient,  as  well  as  when  disobedient  ;  and  he 
watches  children's  conduct,  because  he  has  made  a  pro- 
mise, "  It  shall  go  well  with  thee,"  if  thou  obeyest  thy 
father  and  mother.  And  he  delights  to  fulfil  his  pro- 
mise. How  pleased  I  should  be,  Hannah,  if  the  next 
time  I  came  this  way,  I  should  hear  that  you  have  tried 
to  honour  your  father  and  mother.  The  Lord  Jesus, 
who  loves  children,  will  |uffer  you  to  go  to  him,  and 
ask  him  for  grace  to  teach  you  how  to  obey,  and  to  make 
you  able.  (I  encouraged  her  by  patting  her  on  the  head, 
and  a  kind  look,  and  then  left  them.) 

When  I  arrived  at  my  house,  I  found  my  young  peo- 
14* 


1G2  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

pie  just  at  liberty  from  their  morning  studies ;  and  they 
came  around  me  to  demand  an  account  of  all  that  had 
passed  in  my  ramble.  I  related  all  that  was  adapted  to 
their  instruction,  and  concluded  by  reminding  them  of 
the  great  blessing  which  had  been  bestowed  upon  them 
by  the  goodness  of  the  Lord,  in  giving  them  parents 
whose  business  and  delight  it  was  to  be  found  doing  the 
Lord's  will,  in  training  them  up  in  the  way  they 
should  go. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you,  my  dear  uncle,"  said  Louisa, 
"how  much  this  blessing  has  been  discovered  to  me 
since  we  came  to  you ;  and  I  shall  never  be  sufficiently 
thankful  that  it  was  providentially  ordered,  that  you 
should  be  so  engaged  when  we  came.  I  knew  enough 
to  know  that  we  owed  to  our  dear  father  and  mother 
more  than  we  can  express ;  but  a  comparison  with  the 
state  of  others,  has  increased  the  value  of  it  in  my  mind 
a  hundred-fold.  Oh  !  my  dear  mother,"  she  said,  turn- 
ing to  her,  and  taking  her  hand  with  a  tenderness  of 
filial  love,  "  may  you  have  the  reward  of  the  promise 
of  God,  that  we  shall  never  depart  from  the  way  in 
which  you  have  trained  us." 

My  sister's  heart  was  touched  by  this  address  from 
her  dear  daughter;  but  endeavouring  to  overcome  her 
flow  of  feeling,  she  answered  sweetly — 

"  Amen  !  my  child,  and  may  the  honour  and  glory 
be  the  Lord's  !  Bear  constantly  in  mind,  my  dear  chil- 
dren, Who  maketh  you  to  differ.  It  is  the  goodness  of 
the  grace  of  God,  to  whom  alone,  you,  and  your  father, 
and  I,  owe  the  advantage  and  blessing  of  the  precept 
and  the  grace  of  the  practice,  so  far  as  we  may  have 
walked  according  to  it.  But  we  still  fall  short,  my  dear 
children.    When  I  consider  the  extent  and  importance 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  163 

of  my  trust,  I  can  only  feel  comfort  in  looking  to  the 
ground  of  our  acceptance  in  the  perfect  sacrifice — the 
Lamb  of  God,  without  spot  or  blemish,  and  in  the  se- 
curity that  your  keeping  is  in  the  faithfulness  of  Him 
who  never  leaves  nor  forsakes  his  dear  children. 

These  remarks  gave  a  turn  to  our  conversation  which 
was  deeply  serious,  and  which  engaged  us  during  the 
whole  of  our  walk  in  the  garden,  until  it  was  time  to 
return  to  the  house. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

How  far  we  may  reason  with  children  in  asking 
their  obedience. — Chastisement  plainly  enjoined  in 
Scripture. —  The  curse  against  disobedience. 

Our  party  being  once  more  assembled,  the  conversa- 
tion seemed  to  be  suggested  by  a  remark  of  my  friend, 
Mr.  Conway,  whose  love  of  discipline  was  frequently 
manifested  by  the  nature  of  his  observations. 

"I  will  freely  confess  to  you,  my  dear  friend,"  he 
said,  "  that  you  have  given  me  altogether  a  new  view 
of  the  duties  of  parents,  and  in  doing  so,  have  turned 
my  mind  into  very  serious  reflection  on  that  dependence 
we  ought  to  have  on  the  Lord,  and  which  I  have  hitherto 
little  understood  :  my  only  wonder  is,  how  I  have  had 
so  much  success  with  our  dear  girl,  whose  obedience 
has  been  of  that  prompt  and  uniform  nature  that  it  might 
never  raise  a  question  whether  it  were  from  love." 

Au.  It  makes  me  happy  to  hear  these  sentiments,  my 
friend,  because  it  proves  the  very  thing  to  be  working  in 
you  for  which  I  have  so  often  longed  ;  and  as  to  your 


164  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

dear  child,  she  is  one  of  those  few  characters,  which 
we  may  in  Scripture  terms,  call  "  upright."  She  has 
imbibed,  from  your  example,  a  respect  for  discipline 
and  a  conscientious  desire  to  do  right ;  but  she  has  had, 
I  trust,  seed  of  grace  beyond  this,  which  made  her  heart 
restless  for  something  else;  and  I  think  you  will  find, 
henceforth,  a  tone  and  manner  in  her  obedience  of  a 
much  higher  cast,  because  of  being  graciously  taught 
the  love  of  God,  and  that  the  delight  of  duty  is  in  that 
love.  She  is  one  of  those  instances  in  whom  we  see 
the  Scripture  verified, — ;'  he  that  will  do  the  will  of  the 
Lord,  shall  know  of  the  doctrine."  She  has  had,  be- 
sides, another  great  advantage  in  that  uniformity  of  pre- 
cept and  example  which  subsists  between  you  and  your 
wife.  She  has  had  a  uniform  system  ;  the  obedience  to 
one  parent  was  obedience  to  the  other,  and  thus  she  has 
been  strengthened  in  habits  of  duty  by  the  double  care 
of  both. 

Mrs.  C.  I  must  confess  again  that  I  am  a  friend  to 
discipline,  and  should  be  sorry  if  this  addition  of  love  to 
honour  should  be  found  to  weaken  its  effect. 

Au.  That  it  never  can,  if  it  be  the  love  of  God.  There 
is,  perhaps,  a  remarkable  proof,  in  that  which  is  said  of 
Abraham,  whose  love  of  God  was  so  fully  displayed,  in 
Genesis  xviii.  10 ;  the  Lord  says  of  him,  "  For  I  know 
him,  that  he  will  command  his  children  and  his  house- 
hold after  him,  and  they  shall  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
to  do  justice  and  judgment ;  that  the  Lord  may  bring 
upon  Abraham  that  which  he  hath  spoken  of  him." 
There  can  be  no  stronger  discipline  than  such  as  is  here 
described,  and  yet  this  love,  we  know,  was  of  that  in- 
tense kind,  which  would  not  withhold  any  thing  from 
God. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  165 

Mrs.  Conway  observed,  "  I  think  I  see  a  new  system 
of  education  springing  up  amongst  us  ;  and  it  has  caused 
me  much  reflection, — because  I  am  not  thoroughly  per- 
suaded whether  to  approve  or  condemn  it.  May  I  be 
permitted  to  point  it  out  ?" 

Au.  We  shall  be  grateful  for  any  observations  which 
may  tend  to  give  us  clearer  ideas  on  this  important 
subject. 

Mrs.  C.  It  is  this  :  I  find  among  many  of  my  friends, 
a  determination  not  to  exact  from  their  children  any 
act  of .  obedience,  but  by  the  power  of  reasoning 
with  them.  I  have  seen  them  spend  an  hour  at  a  time, 
perhaps,  to  convince  a  child  that  it  ought  to  do  what  is 
desired,  for  such  and  such  reasons,  ultimately  to  issue 
in  advantages  to  itself.  I  certainly  have  seen  the  child 
yield  in  the  end, — but  I  have  also  seen  a  pertinacious 
adherence  to  the  first  feeling  which  prompted  a  refusal. 
I  have  watched  the  effect,  and  it  appears  to  me  that  it 
does  not  succeed  in  obtaining  that  kind  of  obedience 
which  is  due  from  a  child  to  -a  parent. 

Au.  I  quite  agree  with  you  ;  for  I  also  have  been  an 
observer  of  this  system,  and  the  fact  is,  that  by  it  the 
parent's  authority  is  altogether  put  into  the  back- 
ground, and  the  child's  reason  set  up  as  the  idol;  and 
where  the  reason  fails  to  co-operate  with  the  desire  of 
the  parent,  most  assuredly  the  point  is  yielded  to  the 
desires  of  the  child.  It  is  a  most  dangerous  and  alarm- 
ing system,  tending  to  put  down  all  authority  and  all 
rule,  and  training  up  the  child  to  a  height  of  self-esteem 
and  self-will,  to  be  controlled  by  no  authority,  human 
or  divine ;  and  soon  the  child  takes  his  own  course,  act- 
ing altogether  according  to  his  own  mind,  be  it  right  or 
be  it  wrong ;  for  even  the  right  and  the  wrong,  come 


166  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

to  be  put  under  the  judgment  of  his  own  reason.  How 
can  a  child  be  thus  trained  to  honour  his  parents?  for 
he  feels  his  parents  subjecting  themselves  to  him.  If 
he  yields,  it  is  because  he  thinks  it  right,  and  if  he  does 
not  yield,  it  is  because  he  is  not  persuaded  it  is  right, 
and  that  he  acknowledges  no  authority.  The  Scripture 
directs  no  such  plan :  command,  restraint,  nurture,  ad- 
monition, are  the  rules,  but  they  must  be  in  love.  Ho- 
nour, obedience,  submission,  are  the  duties  of  children, 
and  they  must  be  in  love,  because  all  the  law  of  God  is 

love. 

Mrs.  C.  And  yet  one  wishes  to  see  children  under- 
stand rationally  that  what  they  do  is  a  right  and  a  pro- 
per thing. 

Au.  And  so  they  will ;  the  very  habit  of  obedience, 
once  obtained,  brings  out  such  obvious  benefit  and  hap- 
piness, that  it  becomes  a  certain  knowledge  of  a  certain 
result,  and  as  reason  strengthens  it  will  reflect  upon 
these  things,  more  especially  if  trained  to  form  the  true 
judgment  from  the  word  of  God.  Men  forget  that  rea- 
son, however  fine,  is  like  all  our  other  gifts  of  nature, 
corrupted  by  sin.  Reason  itself  wants  tuition,  and  it 
should  be  formed  to  judgment  by  experience,  and  by 
the- precepts  of  the  word  of  God.  Besides  which,  before 
it  can  be  submitted  to  God,  it  must  be  under  a  sancti- 
fying operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  for  by  the  affec- 
tions of  the  heart  and  the  reason  of  the  mind,  the  will 
is  formed.  To  be  a  right  will,  it  must  therefore  be  re- 
newed in  grace,  and  without  that,  it  will  be  either  al- 
together perverse  or  mistaken :  for  the  natural  or  carnal 
mind  "  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed 
can  be."  Rom.  viii.  7.  A  child  wants  education  in  every 
department  and  in  every  faculty.    It  comes  into  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  1G7 

world  with  the  natural  powers  of  mankind,  but  those 
powers  want  directing,  either  by  moral  tuition,  or,  what 
is  the  absolute  duty  of  all  concerned,  by  a  religious  in- 
struction; that  they  may  be  turned  not  only  to  moral 
duties  between  man  and  man,  but  also  to  holy  duties  be- 
tween himself  and  God.  "  Herein  do  /  exercise  my- 
self," said  St.  Paul,  "  to  have  always  a  conscience  void 
of  offence  towards  God  and  towards  men."  Acts 
xxiv.  16. 

"  As  Mrs.  Conway  has  set  the  example,  will  you  per- 
mit me,"  said  Mrs.  Bennet,  "  to  propose  another  ques- 
tion ?" 

Au.    With  the  greatest  pleasure. 

Mrs.  B.  I  fear  you  will  think  me  wrong,  but  I  sub- 
mit my  feeling  for  correction : — I  wish  to  speak  of  the 
natural  revolting  I  feel  in  my  heart  against  the  severe 
measures  which  seem  to  be  directed  to  parents  in  the 
Scriptures,  especially  in  the  Proverbs.  The  reasoning 
of  my  heart  always  seems  to  contradict  these  injunc- 
tions; and  I  believe  it  very  probable  that  it  is  erroneous;- 
because  averse  to  the  injunctions  of  infinite  wisdom.  I 
once  heard  a  friend  say,  that  those  laws  for  parents 
were  written  as  suitable  to  a  state  of  society  not  so  re- 
fined as  our  present  generations,  and  that  they  seemed 
to  indicate  a  kind  of  barbarity  in  that  age. 

Au.  It  is  really  extraordinary  how  the  pride  of  man 
devises  schemes  to  justify  himself  in  his  judgment  of  the 
Word  of  God  ;  and  like  the  system  of  exalting  reason 
to  the  supreme  authority,  the  same  is  done  by  their  pre- 
sumptuous and  unwarrantable  liberty  with  the  Word  of 
God.  There  is,  perhaps,  one  distinction  to  be  made, — 
to  consider  the  application  of  those  passages  to  the  dif- 
ferent ages  of  our  children,  adapting  them  accordingly : 


168  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

but  I  believe  there  is  more  wisdom  in  that  timely  cor- 
rection which  is  there  enjoined,  than  most  men  under- 
stand ;  and  more  kindness  and  mercy  too,  than  is  gene- 
rally apprehended.  A  timely  stroke,  judiciously  appli- 
ed, may  save  days  and  years  of  labour  wasted  in  any 
other  method. 

Mrs.  B.  I  remember  admiring  much  the  advice  giv- 
en me,  never  to  strike  my  children ;  it  was  added,  "  Why 
treat  them  like  animals,  when  you  may  address  their 


reason 


fin 


Au.  It  all  sounds  very  fine  ;  but  we  may  suspect  the 
soundness  of  the  principle,  when  it  is  in  direct  opposi- 
tion to  the  Word  of  God.  Prov.  xxii.  15,  "  Foolish- 
ness is  bound  up  in  the  heart  of  a  child,  but  the  rod  of 
correction  shall  drive  it  far  from  him."  This  one  Scrip- 
ture at  once  undermines  the  two  false  principles,  and 
tells  you  of  the  foolishness  of  the  child,  and  the  neces- 
sity, on  that  account,  for  the  rod  of  correction.  At  the 
same  time,  I  admit  the  shame  and  cruelty  of  that  prac- 
tice you  see  in  some,  of  continual  correction  of  this  sort. 
In  such  cases  it  "generally  proceeds  from  a  brutal  and 
passionate  nature,  giving  way  to  inordinate  anger  and 
wanton  tyranny.  The  fact,  however,  is,  I  believe,  that 
children  are  partly  animal  and  partly  rational ;  and  they 
require  to  be  treated  suitably  to  their  composition  ; 
above  all,  remembering  the  immortal  nature,  formed 
for  an  eternal  existence  before  the  unveiled  glory  of 
God.  >Sbme  system  of  correction  must  be  adopted, 
however  parents  may  flatter  themselves ;  and  if  they 
avoid  those  prescribed  in  Scripture,  they  are  compelled 
to  resort  to  some  of  their  own  devising,  such  as  pro- 
tracted displeasure,  fasting,  confinement,  disgrace  ;  all 
of  which,  perhaps,  tend  more  to  injure  the  dispositions 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  169 

of  the  child  than  to  improve  them.  My  opinion,  after 
much  experience,  is,  that  the  correction  should  be 
prompt  and  short,  that  the  child  may  understand  it  is 
the  offence  which  calls  for  chastisement,  and  not  itself 
that  is  obnoxious.  Besides,  there  is  much  instruction 
conveyed  to  a  child  by  the  example  thus  exhibited  of  the 
principle  upon  which  the  correction  is  administered ; 
and  a  sin  which  is  palpable  against  the  Lord  himself, 
should  be  more  rigorously  marked  than  any  of  a  nature 
relative  to  men.  I  have  been  ready  to  groan  within  my- 
self when  I  have  seen  the  hot  and  quick  resentments 
expressed  against  any  'personal  disrespect,  whilst  ab- 
solute sins  against  God  have  been  overlooked,  or 
slightly  remarked  upon.  What  a  false  estimate  this  is 
calculated  to  give  them  of  the  nature  of  offences  !  And 
again,  that  irritable  temper  which  some  parents  give  way 
to,  is  most  injurious,  because  it  is  obvious  to  the  keen 
observation  of  a  child  that  it  is  selfish  and  unprincipled, 
and  frequently  altogether  misplaced.  This  is  a  wise  ex- 
hortation of  the  Apostle's :  "  Fathers,  provoke  not  your 
children  to  wrath,  lest  they  be  discouraged ;"  Eph.  vi.  4. 
for  it  is  a  consequence  almost  fatal  to  proper  authority, 
when  the  resentments  of  a  child  are  awakened  upon 
what  he  may  esteem  just  grounds ;  and  thus  the  parent 
is  put  under  the  condemnation  of  the  child. 

Mrs.  B.  I  have  sometimes  thought  that  this  severity 
belonged  only  to  the  Old  Testament  times,  and  that  the 
Gospel  is  milder  in  its  treatment,  as  well  as  in  its  aspect. 

Au.  Where  the  Gospel  graces  of  love,  gentleness, 
goodness,  meekness,  faith,  have  been  the  prevailing 
and  peaceful  foundations  of  instruction  from  earliest  in- 
fancy, it  is  to  be  expected,  as  a  blessed  result,  that  the 
mildest  forms  of  correction  would  probably  be  sufficient ; 
15 


170  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

but  we  must  not  forget  the  sinful  nature,  which  is  cor- 
rected by  nothing  but  the  effectual  operation  of  God 
alone  in  the  heart.  Sin  will  ever  revolt  from  the  law 
of  holiness  and  obedience;  and  sin  it  is  which  requires 
the  strong  corrective  and  the  coercive  system.  Be- 
sides, we  have  the  dealings  of  God  with  our  souls  illus- 
trated by  the  example  of  human  parental  correction. 
That  beautiful  passage  in  Heb.  xii.  6 — 10,  should  be  laid 
up  in  the  heart  of  every  Christian  parent  and  child ;  and 
it  corresponds  with  Deut.  viii.  5,  "  As  a  man  chasteneth 
his  son,  so  the  Lord  chasteneth  thee ;"  which  proves 
the  analogy  of  the  dealings  of  the  attentive  parent  with 
the  dealings  of  God  with  our  souls.  But  we  may,  per- 
haps, refer  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject  to  the 
elucidations  which  may  be  drawn  forth  from  our  young 
people  themselves,  in  the  next  room,  as  it  so  happens  I 
had  proposed  to  take  into  considerntion  this  very  point 
on  which  we  find  ourselves  engaged. 

It  was  soon  agreed  that  we  should  join  the  juvenile 
party.  We  found  all  our  interesting  flock  assembled, 
and  in  the  agreeable  engagement  of  listening  to  some 
of  the  wise  counsels  of  old  Thomas,  whom  Charles  had 
taken  care  should  be  one  with  them,  and  had  placed  in 
the  midst.  He  looked  full  of  animation,  and  his  dutiful 
little  grand  daughter  standing  by  with  eyes  sparkling 
with  delight  and  intelligence,  happy  in  seeing  the  hap- 
piness of  her  aged  parent. 

"  I  am  afraid,"  I  said,  "  my  dear  young  friends,  that  I 
am  scarcely  so  welcome  as  usual,  for  I  shall  interrupt 
the  pleasure  you  are  giving  and  receiving." 

"  Oh,  no !"  they  all  answered  ;  and  Henry  again  said, 
"  It  is  to  you  we  owe  all  the  pleasure." 

An.    But,  then,  what  will  you  say  when  you  know 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  171 

my  subject?  The  Apostle,  in  1  Cor.  iv.  21,  makes  this 
appeal :  "  What  will  ye  ?  Shall  I  come  unto  you  with  a 
rod,  or  in  love,  and  the  spirit  of  meekness?'''' 

"  I  think,"  Henry  said,  "  you  have  sufficiently  proved 
that  love  is  the  best  and  sweetest ;  therefore,  I  say,  love ; 
and  I  believe  all  will  join  in  that  preference.  Though, 
to  speak  the  truth,"  he  continued,  "  during  the  time  of 
my  authority,  I  think  I  should  have  found  a  rod  rather 
useful." 

I  was  fearful,  from  the  tone  of  Henry's  voice,  that  he 
might  impart  an  influence  of  lightness  to  this  important 
subject;  and  therefore  replied — "It  is,  however,  of  a 
nature  so  serious  and  sacred,  that  we  must  neither  omit 
the  consideration,  nor  throw  off  its  application.  Have 
you  learnt,  my  dear  young  friends,  that  your  nature  is 
sinful,  that  it  is  an  arduous  duty  laid  on  your  parents  to 
train  you  up  in  the  way  you  should  go ;  and  have  you 
not  discovered  the  perverseness  of  your  own  minds, 
which  do,  from  sinful  inclinations,  prefer  the  crooked 
ways  of  self-will,  to  the  strait  and  narrow  path  of  obe- 
dience?" 

Henry's  volubility  was  at  once  arrested ;  and  I  receiv- 
ed no  answer.     Silence,  however,  spoke  conviction. 

Au.  "When  love  fails  to  operate — when  duty  fails  to 
impel — when  the  promise  fails  to  persuade — when 
honour  fails  to  act — when  obedience  fails  to  be  render- 
ed— what  must  be  done  ?  Obedience  must  be  enforced, 
for  the  well-being  of  the  child  and  the  comfort  of  the 
parent ;  and  there  is  but  one  thing  more  to  resort  to. 
What  must  it  be  ? 

As  I  was  not  likely  to  receive  an  answer  from  any 
but  such  as  were  already  instructed,  I  looked  to  Louisa, 
and  she  answered — 


172  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

"  Correction." 

Au.    Is  it  a  method  commanded  in  the  Scriptures? 

Louisa.    Yes,  frequently. 

Au.    In  both  the  Old  and  New  Testaments? 

Louisa.    Yes. 

Au.     Give  me  some  texts  in  proof  that  it  is  so. 

Louisa.  In  Proverbs  there  are  many:  xiii.  24,  "He 
that  spareth  his  rod  hateth  his  son  ;  but  he  that  loveth 
him  chasteneth  him  betimes."  xix.  18,  "  Chasten  thy 
son  while  there  is  hope,  and  let  not  thy  soul  spare  for 
his  crying." 

Whilst  Louisa  was  repeating  these  texts,  Mary  was 
engaged  in  turning  to  the  places,  and  I  saw  her  now 
open  to  a  passage  marked  by  herself,  I  therefore  called 
upon  her  to  repeat  it.  She  coloured,  and  would  gladly 
have  escaped  this  notice ;  but  as  all  waited  for  her,  she, 
closing  the  Bible,  in  a  soft  whisper  and  rather  tremulous 
voice,  said — 

"  Proverbs  xxiii.  13,  14,  '  Withhold  not  correction 
from  the  child,  for  if  thou  beatest  him  with  the  rod,  he 
shall  not  die ;  thou  shalt  beat  him  with  the  rod  and  shalt 
deliver  his  soul  from  hell'  " 

Au.    George,  have  you  a  text  ? 

George.  Proverbs  xxix.  15.  17.  "  The  rod  and  re- 
proof give  wisdom  ;  but  a  child  left  to  himself  bringeth 
his  mother  to  shame.  Correct  thy  son  and  he  shall  give 
thee  rest;  yea,  he  shall  give  delight  unto  thy  soul." 

Au.  We  will  pause  here  for  a  moment,  lest  we  lose, 
in  the  number  of  the  texts,  their  particular  application. 
You  perceive,  dear  children,  that  you  have  been  repeat- 
ing Scriptures  which  declare  the  duty  of  your  parents, 
and  explain  to  you  the  authority  with  which  they  are 
entitled  to  correct  you,  for  sin  or  disobedience.    You 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  173 

see  correction  is  not  without  necessity,  as  enjoined  by 
the  Word  of  God  ;  and  you  see  the  ends  to  be  answer- 
ed by  it.    Can  you  trace  them  back  ? 

"  That  the  child  shall  not  die." 

"  To  give  rest  and  delight  to  the  soul  of  the  parent." 

"  That  the  child  may  not  bring  his  mother  to  shame." 

"  To  redeem  his  soul  from  hell." 

Au.  You  see,  then,  how  wise  it  is  to  chasten  a  son 
while  there  is  hope ;  and  how  true  an  evidence  it  is  of 
the  real  nature  of  the  feeling  of  the  parent.  "  To  spare 
the  rod  is  to  hate  his  son ;  but  he  that  loveth  him  chas- 
teneth  him  betimes." 

Charles,  tell  me  if  this  is  like  the  dealings  of  God 
with  us  for  our  souls'  sake  ? 

Charles.  In  Heb.  xii.  6 — 11,  there  is  a  clear  compari- 
son of  God's  ways  with  the  ways  of  a  parent;  but  it  is 
a  long  passage.     Must  I  repeat  it  all? 

Au.  Do,  Charles ;  nothing  is  so  edifying  as  the  word 
of  God. 

Charles.  "  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth, 
and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth.  If  you  en- 
dure chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons  ; 
for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  father  chasteneth  not?  but 
if  ye  be  without  chastisement,  whereof  all  are  partakers, 
then  are  ye  bastards  and  not  sons.  Furthermore,  we 
Tiave  had  fathers  of  our  flesh  which  have  corrected  us, 
and  we  gave  them  reverence ;  shall  we  not  much  moie 
be  in  subjection  to  the  Father  of  spirits,  and  live  1  for 
they  verily  for  a  few  days  chastened  us  after  their  own 
pleasure;  but  He  for  our  profit,  that  we  might  be  par- 
takers of  his  holiness.  Now  no  chastening  for  the  pre- 
sent seemeth  to  be  joyous,  but  grievous:  nevertheless 
15* 


174  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteous- 
ness unto  them  which  are  exercised  thereby." 

Au.  As  it  is  so  long  a  portion  we  will  make  the  same 
reference  to  it  as  to  those  in  Proverbs.  First :  we  see 
that  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  is  the  proof  of  his  love : 
"  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth."  And  now 
you  will  tell  me  some  of  its  benefits  ? 

"  It  is  the  proof  that  we  are  sons." 

"  It  is  for  our  profit." 

Au.    Tell  me  what  is  the  profit  1 

"  That  we  may  be  partakers  of  His  holiness." 

"  That  it  may  yield  the  peaceable  fruit  of  righteous- 
ness to  them  that  are  exercised  thereby." 

Au.    Can  you  give  me  another  text,  Mary  ? 

She  answered,  "  Louisa  showed  me  one  in  1  Cor.  xi. 
32. :  '  But  when  we  are  judged  we  are  chastened  of  the 
Lord,  that  we  should  not  be  condemned  with  the 
world.' " 

Au.  You  see,  then,  my  dear  young  people,  that  the 
correction  of  children  by  their  parents  is  quite  in  agree- 
ment with  the  dealings  of  the  Lord  with  his  people ; 
and  this  last  reason  assigned  is  one  of  great  interest, 
which  should  teach  us  how  to  value  his  correction;  name- 
ly, u  that  we  may  not  be  condemned  with  the  world." 
"  This  is  all  the  fruit,  saith  the  Lord,  to  take  away  their 
sin :"  and  so  we  can  understand  well  that  word  of  the 
Lord,  in  Rev.  iii.  19,  "  As  many  as  I  love,  I  rebuke  and 
chasten."  We  learn,  therefore,  that  obedience  will  bear 
a  further  trial ;  even  to  submit  to  correction,  and  not  to 
rebel  against  it ;  nor  yet,  as  some  do,  to  harden  our- 
selves against  it,  but  to  endeavour  to  look  for  the  pur- 
pose— what  it  is  meant  to  correct,  and  what  to  pro- 
duce.   It  is  written  in  Job  v.  17,  "  Behold  !  happy  is  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  175 

man  whom  God  eorrecteth,  therefore  despise  not  thou 
the  chastening  of  the  Almighty."  I  knew  a  little  girl 
so  affectingly  endowed  with  this  filial  submission  under 
correction,  that  she  used,  whilst  the  tears  rolled  down 
her  cheeks,  to  seize  the  hand  that  struck  her,  and  kiss  it 
whilst  in  the  act  of  correction.  There  is  a  text  in  Deut. 
xxi.,  which  is  an  ample  proof  of  the  condemnation  of 
God,  directed  against  a  rebellious  or  disobedient  son; 
and  I  should  be  glad  if  any  of  you  can  repeat  it,  for 
whilst  we  consider  the  commandment  with  Promise, 
we  have  no  right  to  overlook  the  judgments  which  must 
come  on  those  who  are  incorrigible,  or  will  not  submit 
to  the  authority  of  their  parents. 

"  If  you  please,  uncle,"  Louisa  said,  "  I  will  read  it,  for 
it  is  long ;  it  is  from  the  18th  to  the  21st  verse.  '  If  a  man 
have  a  stubborn  and  rebellious  son,  which  will  not  obey 
the  voice  of  his  father  or  the  voice  of  his  mother,  and  that, 
when  they  have  chastened  him,  will  not  hearken  unto 
them  ;  then  shall  his  father  and  his  mother  lay  hold  on 
him,  and  bring  him  out  unto  the  elders  of  his  city,  and  un- 
to the  gate  of  his  place:  and  they  shall  say  unto  the  elders 
of  his  city,  This  our  son  is  stubborn  and  rebellious ;  he 
will  not  obey  our  voice  ;  he  is  a  glutton  and  a  drunkard. 
And  all  the  men  of  his  city  shall  stone  him  with  stones, 
that  he  die:  so  shalt  thou  put  evil  away  from  among 
you  :  and  all  Israel  shall  hear  and  fear.'  " 

Au.  Observe,  my  dear  young  friends,  what  a  dread- 
ful responsibility  was  thrown  upon  the  parents  in  that 
law  delivered  to  Moses ;  and  it  was  doubtless  designed 
to  operate  as  a  strong  precaution  to  both  parents  and 
children ;  that  parents,  to  avoid,  if  possible,  this  fatal 
end,  should  begin  betimes  to  correct,  and  that  children 
should  early  learn  to  obey.    By  such  a  testimony,  we 


176  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

can  see  how  they  should  be  delivered  from  death  and 
hell ;  and  so  it  is  also  between  God  and  us.  Continued 
rebellion  will  provoke  Him  to  swear  in  His  wrath  that 
we  shall  not  enter  into  His  rest,  and  to  cut  us  off  in  our 
sins.  There  is  another  Scripture,  also,  of  awful  import 
against  disobedient  children,  in  2  Tim.  iii.  2,  which 
ranks  them  in  the  number  of  the  reprobate;  whose 
crimes  shall  be  the  sign  by  which  we  shall  know  the  last 
and  perilous  times  : — "  Disobedient  to  parents ! ! " 

There  was  an  air  of  great  seriousness  in  all  the  party, 
and  I  thought  it  would  be  better  to  pursue  the  subject 
even  beyond  its  present  point.  I  therefore  said,  "I 
would  now,  my  dear  children,  carry  your  observation 
of  God's  word  further,  as  respects  the  judgment  on  re- 
bellious children,  by  desiring  some  text  to  be  brought 
forward,  which  will  prove  that  particular  punishments 
are  allotted  to  particular  degrees  of  the  offence  :  for  re- 
bellion may  grow  on  to  that  state  of  wickedness,  which 
will  totally  extinguish  all  feeling  of  love,  honour,  or 
duty,  or  obedience,  or  desire  to  succour ;  and  become 
such  a  spirit  of  hatred,  as,  next  to  the  blasphemy  against 
God,  to  produce  the  deepest  sin  towards  men,  and  that 
is,  even  to  curse  their  parents."  There  was  a  general 
sensation  of  horror  in  the  children,  and  I  added,  "  It  is 
so  monstrous  that  even  the  word  of  God  speaks  of  it 
thus: 

"  \  There  is  a  generation  that  curseth  their  father 
and  doth  not  bless  their  mother.'  My  dear  children, 
much  as  you  may  suppose  it  impossible  that  such  should 
be  the  extent  of  sin  to  which  you  might  be  brought ; 
yet,  as  God  declares  there  is  such  a  generation,  and 
that  generation  is  to  be  found  amongst  the  sons  of  fallen 
Adam,  it  would  be  well  that  you  should  examine  the 
state  of  your  own  hearts,  and  consider  well  the  sort 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  177 

of  tempers  which  arise  out  of  them,  when  any  of  the 
restraints  or  commands  of  your  parents  are  distasteful 
to  you,  and  especially  in  instances  where  there  is  an 
impossibility  for  you  to  resist,  however  averse  your 
minds  may  be  to  obedience  or  concession ;  then  it  is 
that  the  spirit  manifests  itself.  The  inward  morose 
grumbling  of  an  evil  temper,— the  violent  accusations 
which  are  poured  out, — the  impatient  expression  of 
vexation,  all  show  the  dreadful  spirit  that  could,  if  it 
dared,  and  often  indeed  does,  commit  the  deadly  offence. 

"  Now,  Charles,  prove  to  me  the  fact  that  there  is 
such,  a  generation,  by  repeating  some  of  those  Scripture 
denunciations  which  are  directed  against  this  sin." 

With  an  oppressed  voice,  which  denoted  a  painful 
heaviness  of  soul,  Charles  said,  in  a  low  and  deeply 
serious  tone, 

"  In  Leviticus  xx.  9,  it  is  written, — '  For  every  one 
that  curseth  his  father  or  his  mother  shall  surely  be  put 
to  death :  he  that  hath  cursed  his  father  or  his  mother, 
his  blood  shall  be  upon  him.' 

"  Proverbs  xx.  20.  '  Whoso  curseth  his  father,  his 
lamp  shall  be  put  out  in  obscure  darkness.' 

"  Proverbs  xxx.  17.  l  The  eye  that  mocketh  at  his 
father  and  despiseth  to  obey  his  mother,  the  ravens  of 
the  valley  shall  pick  it  out,  and  the  young  eagles  shall 
eat  it.' 

"  Exodus  xxi.  15. 17.  '  He  that  smiteth  his  father,  or 
his  mother,  shall  be  surely  put  to  death :  and  he  that 
curseth  his  father,  or  his  mother,  shall  surely  be  put 
to  death.'  " 

Au.  Extraordinary  as  some  of  these  denounced  judg- 
ments may  appear,  you  must  recollect  how  exactly  and 
literally  they  would  be  fulfilled,  if  by  any  violent  death, 


178  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

or  any  shameful  execution,  the  body  should  be  left  with- 
out burial,  "  as  dung  on  the  face  of  the  earth,"  or  lifted 
up  in  disgraceful  exposure  to  hang  on  the  gallows.  It 
is  a  sentence  denoting  the  utmost  ignominy.  How  many 
a  body  is  exposed  by  the  various  providences  of  this 
mortal  life,  and  we  know  not  but  in  many  cases  it  may 
be  in  express  fulfilment  of  these  awful  denunciations. 

(I  paused  a  few  moments,  and  then  said,)  I  wish,  now, 
my  dear  young  friends,  to  contrast  the  two  considera- 
tions of  the  Promise  and  the  Curse.  The  Promise  is 
Life,  and  the  Curse  is  Death.  Life  is  promised  to  them 
that  honour  their  father  and  their  mother.  Death  is  de- 
nounced on  them  that  despise  their  father  and  their  mo- 
ther. "  The  wages  of  sin  is  death,  but  the  gift  of  God 
is  eternal  life,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 
Romans  vi.  23.  In  Deuteronomy  xxvii.  16,  there  is  an 
awful  requirement  made  upon  the  Israelites,  that  on  the 
denunciation  of  the  Curse,  the  people  should,  as  it  were, 
set  to  their  seal  that  this  sentence  is  just.  "  Cursed  be 
he  that  setteth  light  by  his  father  or  mother ;  and  all  the 
people  shall  say,  Amen."  But  whilst  we  fear  and  trem- 
ble at  the  judgments  of  God,  let  us  turn  to  the  blessed 
hope  of  the  Promise,  and  know  that  it  shall  be  realized 
to  them  that  love  God  ;  because  it  is  His  own  gift,  whose 
gifts  and  calling  are  without  repentance,  for  he  changeth 
not.  Therefore,  let  me  address  parents  and  children  in 
one  voice,  by  the  word  of  God,  which  thus  solemnly 
speaks,  Deut.  xxx.  19,  20,  "I  call  heaven  and  earth  to 
record  this  day  against  you,  that  I  have  set  before  you 
life  and  death,  blessing  and  cursing  :  therefore  choose 
life,  that  both  thou  and  thy  seed  may  live :  that  thou 
mayest  love  the  Lord  thy  God.  and  that  thou  mayest 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  179 

obey  his  voice,  and  that  thou  mayest  cleave  unto  him  ; 
for  He  is  thy  life,  and  the  length  of  thy  days  I  /" 

I  will  now  direct  your  attention  to  one  more  point, 
and  show  you  what  you  are  to  understand  by  the  term 
Fool,  which  the  Scripture  applies  to  disobedient  children. 
It  is  a  word  that  expresses  their  sins,  and  proves  indeed 
that  it  is  a  Fool  only  who  can  choose  Death  rather  than 
Life,  and  take  to  himself  the  Curse  rather  than  look 
for  the  hope  of  the  Promise.  Can  you,  George,  give 
me  any  text,  whereby  you  can  prove  that  disobedient 
children  are  called  fools  ? 

George.  Proverbs  xv.  5,  "  A  fool  despiseth  his  fa- 
ther's instructions ;  but  he  that  regard  eth  reproof  is  pru- 
dent." 

Proverbs  xvii.  25,  "  A  foolish  son  is  a  grief  to  his  fa- 
ther, and  bitterness  to  her  that  bare  him." 

Au.  How  true,  then,  is  that  word,  Proverbs  xvii.  21, 
"  The  father  of  a  fool  hath  no  joy !" 

The  word  of  God,  thus  presented,  seemed  to  fasten 
in  the  hearts  of  my  interesting  party  like  a  sure  arrow 
from  the  Lord,  and  nad  shed  a  cast  of  serious  reflection 
over  every  face.  I  did  not,  therefore,  wish  to  turn  their 
minds  from  the  meditation,  but  said  we  would  close  our 
evening  by  referring  ourselves  to  Him  who  pardoneth 
iniquity,  transgression,  and  sin  ;  and  with  heartfelt, 
adoring  praise,  say,  in  the  language  of  David,  "  Blessed 
is  he  whose  transgression  is  forgiven,  whose  sin  is  cover- 
ed. Blessed  is  the  man  to  whom  the  Lord  imputeth 
not  iniquity,  and  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile."  To 
him  let  us  all  turn  with  the  humble  prayer,  "  Purge  me 
with  hyssop,  and  I  shall  be  clean ;  wash  me,  and  I  shall 
be  whiter  than  snow."  "  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O 
God,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me." 


180  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

There  was  a  particular  stillness  in  the  departure  of 
my  guests,  and  they  left  me  and  my  domestic  circle, 
with  the  addition  of  old  Thomas  and  Jane,  his  son  hav- 
ing not  yet  come  to  fetch  him.  When  all  was  settled, 
old  Thomas  said — 

"  Sir,  I  hope  and  believe  you  will  have  a  blessing  in 
this  engagement." 

An.    If  the  Lord  be  with  us,  we  shall,  Thomas. 

Old  Thomas.  Yes,  Sir,  and  it  is  of  very  great  con- 
sequence ;  for  bad  as  I  find  my  own  class  of  people,  in 
this  sin  of  never  thinking  of  the  fifth  commandment ; 
and  no  excuse  is  to  be  made  for  them  ;  yet  I  do  believe 
that  the  example  of  the  rich  does  them  a  deal  of  harm. 
If  you  remember,  Sir,  that  most  of  our  poor  fathers  and 
mothers  have  been  servants  in  rich  families  before  they 
married  and  had  children  of  their  own,  you  will  see  how 
many  bad  and  careless  ways  they've  learnt  from  mas- 
ters, and  mistresses,  and  children.  I  oft  think  that  if 
they'd  been  in  godly  families,  where  they  brought  up 
their  children  in  the  fear  and  love  of  God,  it  would  be 
like  an  apprenticeship  for  them  to  learn  that  great  mat- 
ter for  themselves. 

Au.  It  is  a  very  just  observation,  Thomas;  and  it. 
ought  to  inspire  us  with  additional  desires  to  attend  to 
the°se  important  duties,  when  we  reflect  upon  the  classes 
under  our  influence ;  and  of  how  much  benefit  we  may 
be  to  them,  or  of  how  much  injury,  by  our  example. 

Old  Thomas.  Sir,  if  you'd  kindly  give  me  leave,  I'd 
gladly  come  again,  if  God  spare  me,  and  all  be  well,  for 
it's  a  pleasure  to  an  old  man  to  see  the  young  people 
of  another  generation  training  up  for  God  ;  that  so  from 
generation  to  generation  they  may  be  able  to  say,  as  the 
wise  man  to  his  posterity,  Proverbs  iv.  1—4,  "  Hear, 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  181 

ye  children,  the  instruction  of  a  father,  and  attend  to 
know  understanding.  For  I  give  you  good  doctrine, 
forsake  ye  not  my  law.  For  I  was  my  father's  son, 
tender  and  only  beloved  in  the  sight  of  my  mother.  He 
taught  me  also,  and  said  unto  me,  Let  thine  heart  re- 
tain my  words:  keep  my  commandments,  and  live." 

"  Grandfather,  here's  father !  I  see  him  coming  up  for 
you,"  said  little  Jane.  "  Take  hold  of  my  hand,  and 
take  care ! " 

So  we  had  to  part  that  evening,  with  the  hope  of  meet- 
ing again  the  following. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Family  piety.— Fatal  neglect  of  parents  to  enforce 
the  Divine  Commands. —Domestic  divisions  spring" 
not  from  religion  but  the  want  of  it. 

We  were  much  surprised,  early  the  next  morning,  by 
receiving  a  visit  from  Mary  and  her  father.  There  was 
an  evident  pleasure  in  the  eyes  of  our  young  people,  at 
the  sight  of  Mary ;  a  secret  attraction  was  growing  be- 
tween them,  and  it  was  delightful  to  observe  that  it  was 
grounded  on  love  in  the  Lord. 

Mary  went  close  up  to  Louisa,  and  said,  "  I  hope  you 
will  forgive  me  for  coming  so  soon,  but  mamma  has 
such  a  bad  headach,  that  my  father  thought  I  might  come 
and  join  in  your  engagements  this  morning." 

On  hearing  this,  I  said  to  my  sister,  "  As  this  is  the 
case,  will  you  permit  me  to  appoint  them  some  work?" 

Mrs. •    With  pleasure. 

16 


182  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Au.  Then  it  is  this  ,  Sit  down  for  an  hour  or  two 
and  select  me  some  examples  from  Scripture,  of  the 
blessedness  of  families  who  are  unitedly  devoted  to  the 
Lord  ;  and  in  the  evening,  you  shall  propose  these  se- 
lections for  consideration. 

The  plan  seemed  pleasing  to  all,  and  I  proposed  that 
my  friend  should  accompany  us  in  a  ramble,  in  search 
of  evidence  of  the  state  in  which  the  families  in  the 
neighbourhood  were  brought  up. 

As  we  set  out,  he  said,  "  Discipline  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion in  this  inquiry,  for  never  did  I  yet  see  a  poor  fami- 
ly brought  up  with  any  due  attention  to  it." 

Au.  It  is,  indeed,  rarely  to  be  met  with  ;  but  I  know 
some  beautiful  instances,  one  of  which  is  old  Thomas' 
family :  and  in  some  other  cases,  I  have  seen  the  want 
of  discipline  supplied  by  the  grace  given  to  the  children, 
who,  instructed  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  have  been  taught 
to  love,  honour,  and  succour  their  parents,  even  through 
difficulties  that  would  appear  insurmountable  to  any 
other  principle. 

We  had  crossed  some  fields,  and  found  ourselves  at 
the  back  part  of  the  village;  and  just  as  we  approached 
a  cottage,  a  girl,  in  a  bonnet  and  shawl,  was  lifting  the 
latch  to  go  in,  but  seemed  surprised  to  find  it  fast ;  she 
rattled  the  latch,  and  tapped  at  the  door,  but  no  one 
came  to  let  her  in  ;  I  saw  her  then  try  the  window, 
which  she  slided  back,  and  called,  "Father!  Father!" 
She  waited,  and  then  called,  "  Mother,  can  you  let  me 
in?"  We  went  up  to  her,  and  when  she  turned  to  an- 
swer our  inquiry,  "  if  her  father  might  not  be  gone  out," 
I  saw  it  was  the  girl  about  whom  I  had  been  so  much 
interested  by  old  Thomas'  account. 

"  I  don't  know,  Sir,"  she  answered,  curtseying,  with 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  183 

a  modest  air ;  but  there  was  an  expression  of  alarm  in 
her  face. 

Au.  You  are  frightened ;  have  you  been  doing  any- 
thing wrong  ? 

In  a  hesitating  voice,  she  answered,  "  No,  Sir ;  but — " 

Au.  But  what !  young  woman.  If  all  is  right,  you 
need  not  be  afraid. 

"  Oh,  no,  Sir,  all  isn't  right ;  my  mother !  my  mother ! " 
She  seemed  in  an  agony. 

Au.  Why,  you  do  not  think  anything  has  happened 
to  her,  do  you  ?  Shall  I  break  open  the  door  ? 

"  Oh,  no,  Sir,"  she  said,  hastily  pulling  me  back  by  the 
sleeve;  and  then,  as  if  a  sudden  thought  had  occurred 
to  her,  she  ran  round  the  corner  of  the  house,  and  we 
lost  sight  of  her. 

The  door  of  the  house  was  soon  opened,  and  a  surly 
looking  man,  evidently  in  liquor,  though  so  early,  had 
the  arm  of  the  girl  in  his  grasp,  and  turning  her  out 
with  violence,  and  saying,  "  Next  time  you  come  in  here, 
you  shall  come  in  the  right  way,"  pushed  her  away,  and 
shut  the  door. 

The  girl  was  not  turned  out  without  a  hard  struggle  ; 
and  in  an  agony  of  tears,  she  exclaimed,  "  Who'll  take 
care  of  my  mother  !" 

The  violence  with  which  she  had  been  forced  out,  had 
thrown  her  against  the  side  of  the  door,  and  we  heard 
the  sound  of  something  breaking.  This  increased  the 
flow  of  tears:  "Oh!  the  physic's  all  spilt!"  She  sat 
down  on  a  large  stone  which  was  near  the  door,  and  re- 
gardless of  our  presence,  bent  her  head  upon  her  hands 
on  her  knees,  and  sobbed  aloud. 

"  Poor  girl,"  I  said,  "  what  is  the  matter?  Something 


184  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

very  sorrowful,  I  fear,  shall  /  knock  at  the  door,  and 
see  if  I  can  get  your  father  to  take  you  in?" 

Girl.  Please  not,  Sir ;  I'll  wait  here,  and,  may  be,  in 
a  little  time  he'll  be  better. 

Au.    I  fear  your  father's  a  wicked  man. 

(She  made  no  answer,  but  sighed  gently.) 

Is  he  given  to  liquor  ? 

(No  answer.) 

Is  he  unkind  to  your  mother? 

(This  question  made  the  tears  flow  faster.) 

Have  you  any  brothers  or  sisters  within  ? 

Girl.    I  took  them  to  school  when  I  went  out. 

Au.    What  will  you  do  ? 

Girl.    I'll  wait  a  bit  here. 

Recollecting  that  old  Thomas  was  her  friend,  I  pro- 
posed that  we  should  leave  her,  and  go  to  acquaint  him 
with  the  circumstance.  We  soon  walked  round  to  his 
house,  and  when  we  entered  I  was  a  little  disappointed 
to  see  a  young  lady  there,  as  I  thought  it  might  prevent 
my  communicating  immediately  my  errand. 

She  instantly  rose  to  go.  I  desired  that  we  might 
withdraw,  rather  than  intrude;  but  in  a  grave  and  kind 
manner  she  said — 

"  By  no  means,  I  have  quite  finished  my  business ;" 
and  wishing  old  Thomas  "  Good  morning,"  she  offered 
her  hand  to  Jane's  mother,  and  patting  little  Sarah  on 
the  head  as  she  passed,  left  the  house. 

The  manner  of  the  young  lady  gave  me  a  presenti- 
ment that  she  was  the  very  teacher  I  had  wished  to 
know  ;  but  I  could  not  at  that  time  take  the  liberty  of 
endeavouring  to  form  an  acquaintance.  However,  my 
pressing  anxiety  for  the  distressed  girl,  made  me  quit 
these  thoughts,  to  inquire  what  I  could  do  for  her. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  185 

After  relating  all  we  had  seen,  Becca's  heart  seemed 
quite  overpowered  with  sympathy,  and  she  said,  "  Poor 
girl,  the  Lord  tries  her,  but  he  supports  her  too."  - 

"  It  seems  very  remarkable,'"  said  old  Thomas ;  "  for 
this  very  morning  she  came  here  to  meet  that  young 
lady,  her  friend,  who  brought  her  her  money  that  she 
had  saved  up,  and  a  bottle  of  physic  for  her  sick  mo- 
ther." 

Au.  We've  seen  the  end  of  the  physic ;  what  has  she 
done  with  the  money  ? 

Old  Thomas.  She  paid  it,  before  she  left  this  house, 
to  the  man  her  father  owed  it  to,  The  young  lady 
thought  it  best,  so  she  appointed  the  man  to  meet  her 
here ;  for  Martha  hasn't  much  time  to  leave  her  mother, 
she^s  so  ill  that  she  can't  help  herself. 

Au.  Poor  Martha,  indeed,  we  might  say,  if  we  look- 
ed only  to  her  sorrows ;  but  she  has  a  witness  of  her 
filial  piety,  who  will  not  be  unmindful  of  her.  You 
know  her  well,  Thomas ;  how  will  she  behave  towards 
her  father  ? 

Old  Thomas.  Why,  Sir,  you  see  her  natural  temper's 
very  passionate  and  hot ;  but  she's  been  taught  so  long 
the  sin  of  it,  and  she's  found  so  clearly  by  experience  the 
mischief  of  it,  that  I  think  on  that  account  she  behaves 
milder  and  gentler  than  a  meeker  natural  spirit  would. 
There's  this  in  it,  that  she's  obliged  to  seek  for  grace, 
and  throw  herself  on  God,  or  else  she  couldn't  do  as 
she  does.  I  remember  she  said  to  me  once,  after  she 
had  been  telling  me  of  the  subject  of  the  lesson  they'd 
had  on  the  fifth  commandment,  "  Oh,  Thomas,  it's  very 
hard  to  learn  to  honour  my  father  when  I  see  him  so 
wicked ;  but  my  teacher  said  I  must  honour  him  as  my 
father,  and  for  that  reason  must  obey  him  in  all  things 
16* 


186  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE, 

that  were  not  contrary  to  God's  word.  '  Hate  his  sins,* 
she  said, ' but  try  to  turn  him  from  them;  pray  for  him 
and  honour  him  as  your  father.'  It's  very  hard,  Tho- 
mas ;  but  I'll  try,  by  God's  grace,  to  do  it." 

Poor  girl !  many  a  time  she  has  run  in  here  to  hide 
the  rising  of  her  passion,  and  to  try,  by  talking  of  God's 
word  and  her  duty,  to  get  the  better  of  it ;  and  then  she's 
gone  away  like  a  meek,  lamb-like  child. 

Au,  Cannot  we  do  anything  for  her,  in  this  strait  that 
she  is  in  just  now? 

Old  Thomas.  I  believe,  Sir,  it's  best  to  let  her  alone ; 
she's  experienced  in  these  things,  and  she  says  the  Lord 
often  softens  her  father's  heart  when  she  thinks  it  the 
hardest:  she'll  take  some  opportunity  of  getting  in  when 
the  door  is  opened  for  somebody  else.  Perhaps  he'll  fall 
asleep  with  liquor,  and  she'll  get  in  at  the  low  window 
if  he's  at  the  other  side  of  the  house. 

Au.  It  is  a  pain  to  me  to  leave  her  so;  but  if  you 
think  it  best,  we  will  not  return  that  way. 

Old  Thomas.  I  believe  it  would  be  best,  Sir ;  for  she 
suffers  a  deal  of  pain  when  her  father's  exposed ;  and 
he's  often  doubly  outrageous  if  he  thinks  any  one  in- 
terferes. 

As  this  was  the  case,  however  unwilling  we  felt,  we 
did  not  trouble  her  by  any  more  observations;  and  go- 
ing another  way,  we  met  a  number  of  children  of  differ- 
ent ages,  at  play  in  a  very  rude  manner,  and  quarrelling 
at  the  same  time  about  something  that  had  taken  place. 
Amongst  them  I  was  very  sorry  to  see  the  two  school- 
boys with  whom  I  had  been  before  engaged  ;  they  re- 
cognized me  immediately,  and  pulling  another  boy  by 
the  sleeve,  made  signs  to  get  away  over  a  gate  by  the 
road-side. 


' 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE  187 

"  Help  me,"  I  said  to  my  friend,  "  spread  out  your 
arms,  and  let  us  stop  the  way."  We  did  so ;  and  1  de- 
manded to  know  how  they  all  came  to  be  there  at 
school-time.  They  in  general  looked  bold  and  indiffer- 
ent to  my  inquiry.  I  shook  my  head  at  my  two  former 
acquaintances,  who  only  feared  that  the  same  thing 
might  take  place  as  before.  We  questioned  them  all  in- 
dividually, as  to  their  names  and  places  of  abode,  and 
on  getting  the  answers  we  let  them  go,  after  having  rea- 
soned with  them  on  their  conduct ;  and  then  I  proposed 
that  we  should  go  to  their  parents  to  see  if  we  could 
trace  out  the  true  causes  of  this  indolence  and  bad 
habit  in  the  children. 

The  first  house  we  came  to  was  that  of  John  Tomlins ; 
he  was  a  cobler,  and  we  found  him  at  work. 

Au.  John,  I  came  to  tell  you  that  we  met  your  two 
boys  and  their  little  sister  all  playing  truant;  for  I  sup- 
pose you  ordered  them  to  go  to  school. 

Tomlins.  Why  yes,  Sir,  I  told  them  to  go;  but 
they're  not  fond  of  school,  and  this  fine  weather,  you 
see,  is  a  bit  of  a  temptation. 

Au.  But  you  don't  approve  of  their  disobeying  your 
orders,  do  you  ? 

Tomlins.  Why  no,  Sir ;  but  it's  not  quite  disobey- 
ing ;  they  know  when  I'm  in  earnest;  I  tells  them,  Sir, 
you  see,  but  I  winks  like  at  their  not  doing  it ;  I  remem- 
bers being  a  lad  myself. 

Au.  But  that's  a  bad  way  of  bringing  them  up ;  to 
tell  them  to  do  one  thing,  and  then  to  wink  at  their  do- 
ing another. 

Tomlins.  I  don't  know,  Sir ;  but  if  they  make  as 
good  a  man  as  their  father,  they'll  get  on  in  the  same 
fashion. 


188  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Au.  I  do  not  pretend  to  say  what  sort  of  a  man  their 
father  is,  as  this  is  the  first  time  I  have  seen  you ;  but 
I  think  it  might  be  as  well  if  they  were  better  men  than 
their  father. 

"May  be,  Sir," — he  said,  tapping  the  sole  of  the  shoe 
he  was  mending. 

Au.  You  seem  rather  indifferent  about  their  im- 
provement ? 

Tomlins.  Nay,  I  think  I  "shall  be  able,  through  in- 
terest, to  get  'em  into  a  Charity  to  put  'em  out  'prentices. 

Au.  But  what  sort  of  'prentices  will  they  make,  if 
you  have  never  taught  them  to  serve  God,  or  to  be  obe- 
dient to  you  ? 

Tomlins.  Oh !  it  will  all  come  in  good  time,  Sir,  I 
warrant. 

I  saw  the  character  of  the  man,  and  that  he  was  one 
of  those  that  do  not  care  to  hear  reason,  and  as  we  had 
little  time,  we  did  not  stay. 

The  next  house  was  Betty  Dobson's.  We  went  in  ; 
she  was  just  sweeping  up  the  hearth  and  making  the 
room  tidy. 

Au.  We  are  come  to  tell  you,  Betty,  that  we  met 
your  little  girl  playing  truant  with  some  other  children. 
I  dare  say  you  thought  she  was  at  school  ? 

Mrs.  D.  Thank  you,  Sir,  for  telling  me.  I  wish  my 
girl  would  do  better;  but  she's  like  to  please  herself; 
she  must  take  the  course  she  likes  best. 

Au.  That  is  being  very  cruel  to  your  child;  for  chil- 
dren do  not  know  what  is  best  for  them. 

Mrs.  D.  Why,  Sir,  I  never  puts  no  constraint  upon 
her,  and  then  she  can't  quarrel  with  me. 

Au.    Do  you  always  let  her  please  herself? 

Mrs.  D.    I  finds  it  best,  and  then  we've  no  words 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  189 

and  all  goes  on  quietly ;  for  if  I  offers  to  control  her, 
there's  such  an  uproar,  and  riot,  that  all  the  neighbours 
would  think  I  was  killing  her. 

Au.  Do  you  think  your  reasons  are  good  ?  Surely 
it  is  your  duty  to  teach  your  children  to  honour  and 
obey  you  ? 

Mrs.  D.  Why,  one  may  teach  'em,  but  one  can't 
make  'em  do  it. 

Au.  But  if  you  endeavoured,  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  to  do  it,  you  might  find  that  he  would  help  you ; 
and  he  would  lead  them  right. 

Mrs.  D.  You  see,  I  should  be  very  glad  for  some 
things ;  but  it  makes  our  house  in  such  a  tumult  when 
her  passion's  up,  that  to  keep  quietness  it's  better  to  let 
her  alone. 

Au.  But  are  you  not  afraid  of  the  consequences? 
What  sort  of  a  house  will  you  have  when  she  grows 
bigger  and  stronger,  and  all  her  bad  passions  and  idle 
ways  grow  stronger  too  ? 

Mrs.  D.  Sometimes  I'm  a  bit  afraid,  but  one  puts  off 
the  evil  day ;  and  if  I  can  get  her  out  to  place  before 
she's  very  big,  she'll  get  a  bit  broke,  if  I  could  get  her 
with  a  spirited  mistress. 

Au.  Oh,  what  sad  arguments  are  these  with  which 
you  deceive  yourself?  (I  then  endeavoured  to  set  be- 
fore her  her  duty  to  her  child,  according  to  the  Lord's 
appointment ;  but  I  fear  with  very  little  impression.) 

As  we  walked  on  to  the  next  house,  my  friend  said — 
"  You  see  what  I  told  you  was  right :  no  discipline  !  no 
discipline!" 

Au.  Because  no  love  of  the  law  of  the  Lord,  and 
no  desire  for  the  welfare  of  the  souls  of  these  poor 
children. 


190  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

We  were  now  at  ihe  cottage  of  Tobias  Calcot,  and  to 
our  surprise  saw  the  boy  and  girl  we  had  left  in  the 
group  of  truants. 

"  So  ! "  I  said  to  the  mother,  who  was  standing  listening 
to  something  they  were  relating,  "  I  see  we  .need  not  tell 
you  our  errand  5  for  you  know  already,  by  the  return 
of  your  children,  that  they  are  not  at  school." 

Mrs.  C.  Oh  !  yes,  Sir  3  they've  been  here  more  than 
ten  minutes. 

Au.     Then  you  are  displeased  they  are  not  at  school? 

Mrs.  C.  Why.  Sir,  it  would  ha'  been  as  well  if  they'd 
been  there;  but  they've  no  mind  to  go  to-day. 

Au.  Is  not  that  a  pity,  when  they  understand  it's  for 
their  benefit  ?  They  should  be  regular  in  all  their  in- 
struction; they  will  never  improve  if  they  are  not. 

Mrs.  C.  I  know  folks  oft  tell  me  I  shall  rue  it  after  a 
bit ;  but  I  lets  'em  do  as  they  like.  If  anybody  can  per- 
suade them,  they  may;  but  they're  welcome  to  go  and 
they're  welcome  to  stay.  I  pay  three  shillings  a  quarter 
for  them,  and  so  they've  entrance  whenever  they  like, 
and  it's  not  my  fault  if  they're  not  learned ;  the  master 
and  mistress  complain,  but  I  say  if  they've  got  the  mo- 
ney that's  all  we  agreed  for. 

Au,  Had  you  no  view  to  your  children's  instruction 
when  you  agreed  to  pay  this  three  shillings  a  quarter  I 

Mrs.  C.  Yes,  I  meant  it  for  that,  to  be  sure,  Sir ;  but 
if  they  won't  take  the  advantage  they  won't. 

Au.  Do  you  think  that  you  have  discharged  your 
duty  to  them  by  paying  three  shillings  a  quarter  for 
them  ? 

Mrs.  C.  Why,  I've  done  my  best ,  you  know,  Sir ; 
I  works  hard  for  it,  and  I  pays  it  cheerfully  for  their 
benefit. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  191 

Au.  What  benefit  do  they  obtain  by  your  paying  the 
money,  unless  you  oblige  them  to  "take  the  advantage," 
as  you  call  it  1 

Here  again  we  had  to  endeavour  to  set  before  a  mo- 
ther the  duty  she  owed  her  children,  and  to  tell  her  that 
which  God  has  recorded  in  the  Bible,  and  which  every 
parent  may  read.  What  a  dreadful  condemnation  rests 
upon  the  heads  of  ignorant,  careless,  ungodly  parents ! 

As  we  pursued  our  way,  my  friend  and  I  conversed 
upon  the  neglected  condition  of  the  greater  part  of  chil- 
dren in  the  world ;  the  lamentable  fact  that  their  own 
natural  protectors  and  instructers  should  leave  them  to 
grow  up  hardened  in  sin,  without  making  them  ac- 
quainted with  the  law  laid  upon  them  by  the  Lord.  It 
is  melancholy  to  reflect  that  whilst  the  parent  is  thus 
heaping  sin  upon  his  own  head,  he  is  also  loading  the 
heads  of  his  children  ;  for  nothing  can  clear  the  children 
from  their  personal  responsibility  to  obey.  Whether 
they  do  or  do  not  obey,  the  commandment  stands, 
f  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother ;"  and  how  hard  it 
is  for  them  to  learn  obedience  when  no  exercise  of  the 
principle  is  called  for  by  their  parents,  or  any  direction 
or  charge  given  them  by  which  to  practise  the  command. 
How  can  we  wonder  that  so  many  mothers  are  brought 
to  shame,  when  so  few  children  are  taught  to  obey  ! 

"Now,"  said  my  friend,  "  I  will  open  my  mind  to  you 
on  another  subject,  which  I  confess  has  been  the  occa- 
sion of  my  imbibing  strong  prejudices  against  what  is 
called  a  spiritual  bringing  up  of  children ;  by  which  I 
mean,  according  to  a  peculiar  religious  influence,  which 
I  know  is  intended  to  go  much  further  than  the  general 
observance  of  religious  ordinances.  This  is  what  I  have 
observed :  that  the  peace  of  some  families  is  quite  bro- 


192  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

ken  up  through  the  difference  of  opinion  on  this  subject, 
and  a  division  takes  place,  which  appears  to  me  often  to 
produce  a  direct  breach  of  the  fifth  commandment." 

"  My  dear  friend,"  I  replied,  "  you  are  touching  on  a 
subject  of  such  importance  that  it  cannot  be  discussed 
in  so  short  a  time  as  we  have  now  at  our  disposal.  But 
it  may  help  to  prepare  your  mind  for  a  just  understand- 
ing of  the  cause  of  this  evil,  if  you  will  consider  a  few 
striking  passages  of  Scripture.  Jesus  is  the  Prince  of 
Peace  ;  and  where  he  reigns  he  produces  peace :  but 
it  is  only  where  he  reigns.  Thus,  Is  he  the  Lord  to 
whom  a  nation  bows  ? — there  is  peace.  Is  he  the  Lord 
whom  a  household  serves  ? — there  is  peace.  Is  he  the 
King  ruling  in  the  heart  of  any  one  ? — there  is  peace. 
But  we  must  remember  that  it  is  not  in  every  subject 
of  a  nation,  nor  in  every  member  of  a  household,  nor 
in  every  heart  that  the  Lord  reigns.  And  when  it  hap- 
pens in  a  family  that  he  becomes  the  Lord  and  Master 
of  one  individual  and  not  of  another,  there  is  immedi- 
ately a  difference,  so  great,  in  every  principle,  thought, 
word,  and  deed,  that  they  can  no  longer  be  agreed,  and 
never  are,  until  the  other  members  are  brought  to  sub- 
mit to  the  same  Lord. 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  :  c  Suppose  ye  that  I  am  come 
to  send  peace  on  the  earth  ;  I  tell  you  nay,  but  rather 
division :  for  from  henceforth  there  shall  be  five  in  one 
house  divided,  three  against  two,  and  two  against  three ; 
for  the  father  shall  be  divided  against  the  son,  and  the 
son  against  the  father  ;  and  the  mother  against  the 
daughter,  and  the  daughter  against  the  mother;  and  the 
mother-in-law  against  the  daughter-in-law,  and  the 
daughter-in-law  against  the  mother-in-law ;  and  a  man's 
foes  shall  be  they  of  his  own  household.'    See  Luke  xii. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  193 

51 — 53.  and  Matt.  x.  34—39.  wherein  Jesus  declares, 
1 1  came  to  send  a  sivord?  The  division  is  occasioned 
by  the  difference  of  the  Lord  and  Master  who  is  served 
by  each ;  but  the  sword  is  occasioned  by  the  hostility 
of  those  who,  rejecting  Him  whom  the  believer  serves, 
war  against  the  believer  also.  The  child  of  peace  is  for 
peace,  but  the  other  is  for  war.  And  the  Lord  puts  it 
in  the  strongest  possible  position,  in  order  to  enforce 
upon  his  disciples  a  preparation  for  this  experience,  and 
a  perception  of  the  superior  nature  of  their  love  to  him 
to  all  other  considerations  or  relative  natural  connexions. 
These  passages  both  account  for  the  division  and  justify 
the  effect.  If  the  disciple  walks  faithfully,  he  is  the 
sufferer,  and  the  others  are  the  enemies  and  persecu- 
tors. The  sufferings  which  I  have  seen  a  child  endure, 
under  these  circumstances,  are  beyond  the  apprehension 
of  those  who  know  not  the  trial.  From  day  to  day,  and 
hour  to  hour,  they  occur,  and  it  is,  as  the  Scripture  calls 
it,  a  cross,  and  that  of  no  little  suffering,  combining 
with  the  duty  of  honour,  love,  and  obedience,  still  re- 
maining due  to  the  earthly  parent,  the  supreme  love, 
honour,  and  obedience  due,  above  all,  to  the  Lord. 
But  this  is  a  cross  which  must  be  borne  ;  for  the  Lord 
has  said,  '  He  that  taketh  not  his  cross  and  followeth 
after  me  is  not  worthy  of  me?  How  all  this  might  be 
hushed  into  peace  were  they  all  of  one  mind  in  the 
Lord  !  But,  it  is  the  Lord  alone  "  who  maketh  men  to 
be  of  one  mind  in  a  house  !" 

Mr.  Conway.    I  believe  it  is  so. 

Au.  We  will  not  here  pursue  the  subject ;  for  I  be- 
lieve we  shall  find,  in  the  evening's  conversation,  suffi- 
cient to  elucidate  this  fact  to  our  fullest  satisfaction. 

My  friend  went  with  me  to  the  house,  for  the  purpose 
17 


194  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

of  taking  his  dear  girl  home  to  her  mother,  with  the  pro- 
mise of  being  with  us  in  the  evening,  if  permitted. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

United  devotion  in  families. —  The  first  family. — 
History  of  Patriarchal  families  considered. 

On  my  arrival  at  home  I  found  a  note  from  Mrs.  As- 
ton, to  the  following  effect: — 

"  My  dear  friend — I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you 
that  Anna's  indulgent  father  is  returned  home,  and  I  am 
exceedingly  anxious  that  he  should,  if  possible,  be  drawn 
to  consider  the  subjects  on  which  we  have  of  late  been 
engaged,  with  the  serious  attention  they  demand ;  for  I 
am  persuaded  that,  in  order  to  acquire  that  ascendant 
influence  over  our  dear  child  which  is  essential  to  her 
right  instruction,  it  is  quite  necessary  that  both  father 
and  mother  should  be  of  one  mind.  He  has  brought 
the  gold  chain,  and  I  have  had  some  difficulty  in  dis- 
suading him  from  showing  it  to  Anna.  Help  us,  my 
dear  friend,  with  counsel,  that  we  may,  though  late, 
learn,  even  yet,  how  '  to  order  the  child.' 

"  Your's,  gratefully,  A.  A.' 

This  note  led  me  to  reflect  upon  the  method  to  be 
adopted  for  the  evening ;  but  after  thinking  how  to 
change  my  plan,  I  at  last  considered  it  better  that  it 
should  remain  as  was  intended  ;  and  that  perhaps  it 
would  be  more  likely  to  draw  attention  than  one  more 
formal. 

My  party  was  scarcely  assembled  when  a  message 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  195 

from  Louisa  called  me  out  of  the  room:  She  was  waiting 
to  speak  to  me,  and  said — 

"  Dear  uncle,  they  have  all  sent  me  to  solicit  you  to 
be  altogether  with  us  this  evening ;  we  have  informed 
them  of  the  proposed  subjects,  and  they  seem  exceed- 
ingly eager  to  have  as  many  of  them  as  possible  within 
the  time." 

I  promised  to  join  them  as  soon  as  I  could;  and  after 
a  little  indifferent  conversation,  and  the  introduction  of 
Mr.  Aston,  I  presented  the  petition  of  the  juvenile  guests. 

Mr.  Aston  smiled,  as  if  he  thought  himself  introduced 
to  an  uncommon  kind  of  entertainment,  and  appeared 
to  feel  it  a  kind  of  condescension :  there  were,  however, 
too  many  seniors,  to  keep  him  in  countenance,  to  allow 
him  to  think  of  excusing  himself. 

When  we  went  into  the  room  there  was  a  universal 
expression  of  pleasure,  and  they  were  in  the  act  of  greet- 
ing old  Thomas.  I  was  pleased  to  see  such  an  apparent 
interest  in  our  approaching  engagement,  and  only  beg- 
ged to  remind  them,  that  though  the  subject  might  ap- 
pear amusing,  as  little  histories,  these  histories  were  of 
most  serious  import,  for  God  himself  had  recorded  them 
for  our  instruction.  We  will  lose  no  time,  and  Louisa, 
as  the  eldest,  shall  make  the  first  choice  of  the  subject. 

Louisa.  If  you  please,  uncle,  I  would  wish  to  name 
what  old  Thomas  was  proposing  just  as  you  entered, 
and  which  had  not  occurred  to  us.  But  he  will  tell  you 
of  it  himself. 

Old  Thomas.  O,  Miss,  I'd  rather  you  hadn't  men- 
tioned it ;  but,  like  an  old  man,  it  was  very  natural  that 
I  should  begin  with  the  oldest  story — the  two  first  chil- 
dren in  the  world. 

An.    Cain  and  Abel  ? 


196  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Old  Thomas.  No,  Sir ;  Adam  and  Eve ;  they  were 
both,  you  know,  the  children  of  God  in  a  particular  way, 
and  they  were  created  in  perfect  uprightness. 

Au.  Yes,  certainly,  Thomas,  and  in  perfect  maturi- 
ty, so  that  they  needed  not  to  be  trained  up,  if  we  may 
so  apply  it,  in  the  way  they  should  go,  for  they  were 
prepared  to  go  right. 

Old  Thomas.  I  have  often  thought,  Sir,  of  them  in 
the  way  of  children  with  God.  "What  a  state  they  were 
in ;  their  father  the  Holy  Father ;  and  yet,  when  he  had 
made  man  upright,  they  found  out  many  inventions, 
and  sinned  against  their  Father  and  God.  And  so  we 
know,  very  well,  that  God  hath  visited  the  sins  of  the 
fathers  upon  the  children,  from  generation  to  generation. 

Au.  Thank  you,  Thomas,  for  placing  this  before  us; 
and  let  us  apply  the  consideration  a  little  to  our  purpose, 
to  show  to  us  the  power  of  temptation  to  lead  astray 
even  these,  the  first  earthly  son  and  daughter.  Had 
they  hearkened  to  the  voice  of  their  God  and  Father, 
and  resisted  the  voice  of  the  tempter  and  destroyer,  they 
would  have  left  the,  inheritance  of  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  the  children  of  them  that  love  him,  instead  of  the 
curse  of  them  that  hated  him.  You  may  remember, 
my  dear  children,  that  one  of  the  first  lessons  we  had, 
ran  upon  the  words  of  our  Lord — "  If  ye  love  me  ye 
will  keep  my  words."  And  it  is  a  certain  indication  of 
an  approaching  fall  when  we  suffer  the  word  once  com- 
mitted to  us  to  be  taken  away.  Of  the  forbidden  fruit, 
God  said  to  these,  "  In  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof, 
thou  shalt  surely  die."  They  did  not  keep  this  word,  but 
let  Satan  take  it  from  them,  by  saying,  "  Thou  shalt  not 
surely  die."  But  how  often  do  we  find  Satan  taken  in 
his  own  snares  !   God,  their  father,  had  a  way  prepared 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  197 

by  which,  notwithstanding  the  curse,  they  might  still 
live.  He  banished  them  from  the  garden  of  Eden, 
where  grew  the  tree  of  life,  the  type  of  Jesus  the  Life  of 
men,  lest  they  should  take  of  the  fruit ,  but  he  promised 
and  gave  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  that  through  reconciliation 
by  blood  man  might  live.  Life  is  the  gift  of  God.  It 
was  first  given  to  Adam.  Adam  forfeited  life  by  sin, 
and  then  he  could  not  take  it  again  :  his  presumptuous 
hand  could  not  redeem  forfeited  life ;  a  flaming  sword, 
in  the  hand  of  an  angel,  kept  the  tree  of  life  from  his 
approach.  Life  must  again  be  the  gift  of  God  in  his 
own  way ;  and  Jesus  is  the  life,  as  the  gift  of  the  Fa- 
ther, and  as  laying  down  his  life  to  redeem  ours.  John 
xiv.  6. 

"  Now  then,"  said  George,  "  If  you  take  my  subject 
next,  I  think  it  will  fall  in  best  with  our  instructions." 

Au.    What  is  it,  George  ? 

George.  The  family  of  Adam  and  Eve.  Gen.  iv. 
(He  read  the  chapter  to  the  15th  verse.) 

Au.  This  is  an  affecting  subject,  my  dear  George, 
because  it  brings  so  immediately  into  notice  the  sin  of 
the  parent,  and  the  sin  of  the  child. 

"  Yes,  uncle,"  George  quickly  said,  as  if  to  vindicate 
his  choice ;  "  but  you  know  it  shows  us  the  remedy  also, 
for  Abel  brought  the  sacrifice." 

Au.  True,  my  dear  George  ;  there  is  light  and  dark- 
ness, sorrow  and  joy,  death  and  life,  sin  and  grace,  to  be 
seen  in  Adam  and  Eve's  family ;  but  do  you  see  how 
sin  brought  a  division  into  the  family,  which  otherwise 
would  have  been  all  light  and  life,  and  joy  and  peace, 
without  a  shade  ? 

George.    Yes,  I  do,  uncle. 

Au.  We  have,  however,  a  full  testimony  to  the  duties 
17* 


198  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

fulfilled  by  Adam  and  Eve  towards  their  family.  They 
had  been  the  unhappy  instruments  of  bringing  in  all 
the  evil,  but  they  had.  evidently  taught  their  sons  from 
whence  came  all  the  good;  It  is  quite  plain  they  had 
taught  them  that  God  is  the  giver  of  every  good  thing; 
the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and  the  peace-offering  with  hea- 
ven ;  for  these  lessons  had  been  learnt  by  the  children. 
Cain,  indeed,  was  satisfied  with  the  earthly  good,  and 
acknowledged  it  to  be  the  gift  of  God  by  the  offering 
he  brought.  But  Abel's  soul  was  turned  to  reflect  on  the 
sacrifice,  and  he  brought  a  lamb,  which  showed  that  he 
esteemed  the  heavenly  good — the  gift  of  Him  who  was 
a  Lamb,  slain  from  before  the  foundation  of  the  world. 
There  must  have  been  a  great  difference  between  the 
brothers,  if,  as  is  most  probable,  the  grace  of  God  was 
early  manifested  in  Abel.  There  had  been  no  care,  per- 
haps, to  Cain,  until  he  had  this  proof  either  as  to  the 
difference  of  the  offering,  or  the  difference  of  God's 
acceptance  of  the  offering.  And  when  he  saw  the  token 
of  life,  through  blood,  exhibited  to  Abel,  and  of  death 
without  blood,  expressed  by  the  Lord's  refusal  of  his 
own  offering,  then  he  was  wroth,  and,  like  Satan,  who 
was  a  murderer  from  the  beginning,  he  sought  the  de- 
struction of  Abel.  From  the  moment  of  this  proof  of 
God's  acceptance  of  Abel,  there  entered  into  Adam's 
family,  division,  one  of  the  most  grievous  consequences 
of  sin ;  and  brother  was  set  against  brother :  and  Cain's 
countenance  fell ;  he  brooded  on  deeds  of  darkness,  and 
his  eye  no  longer  lifted  up  itself  to  God.  The  Lord 
looks  into  the  secrets  of  families,  and  often  thus  re- 
monstrates with  him  that  hateth  his  brother:  "  Why  art 
thou  wroth,  and  why  is  thy  countenance  fallen?"  It  ap- 
pears as  if  the  voice  of  the  Lord  had  prevented,  for  a 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  199 

time  Cain's  evil  feelings  from  being  brought  to  their  aw- 
ful developement ;  but  he  walked  not  in  the  same  way 
with  Abel — he  brought  no  Lamb,  no  "  firstling  of  a 
flock,  with  the  fat  thereof;"  he  sought  not  peace  by 
blood ;  he  offered  no  sacrifice  for  sin;  and  at  length  it 
came  to  pass,  that  Cain  rose  up  against  his  brother  and 
slew  him. 

Do  you  remember  a  scripture  that  tells  you  the  rea- 
son why  Cain  slew  his  brother  ? 

George  immediately  gave  the  text,  in  1  John  iii.  12, 
".Because  his  own  works  were  evil,  and  his  brother's 
righteous." 

Au.  It  is  a  history  which  marks  the  nature  of  sin, 
and  its  progress  to  its  height,  more  fully,  perhaps,  than 
any  other.  From,  perhaps,  an  orderly  life  of  formal  at- 
tentions, and  from  an  acknowledgment  of  the  Lord  as 
giver  of  earthly  good,  he  grew  to  be  a  murderer  and  an 
infidel ;  his  services  being,  in  the  first  instance,  those  of 
•a  mere  worldling,  in  the  spirit  of  a  Pharisee,  and  with- 
out faith  in  the  blood  of  sprinkling.  It  is  plain,  I  think, 
4hat  this  murder  of  Abel  was  with  the  idea  of  defeating 
the  Lord's  purpose  to  bless  him,  not  understanding  the 
difference  between  spiritual  and  natural  life ;  for  when 
God  inquired,  "Where  is  thy  brother  Abel?"  he  an- 
swered, in  the  language  of  infidelity,  "  I  know  not ;  am 
I  my  brother's  keeper  ? "  Thus  he  mocked  Jehovah, 
the  keeper  of  his  people ;  and  he  received  his  righteous 
sentence : — The  earth  in  which  he  delighted  was  not  to 
yield  its  strength  to  him ;  he  was  to  be  a  fugitive  and  a 
vagabond  on  the  earth — for  ever  flying  from  vengeance — 
for  ever  wandering  without  rest— and  the  terrors  of  death 
instantly  took  hold  on  him ;  for  you  see  how  he  feared 
to  be  slain.     He  neither  sought  nor  asked  that  life 


200  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

which  he  believed  not  to  be  the  gift  of  God.  The  Lord 
protected  him  from  the  murderous  hand  of  men,  because 
he  seemed  to  desire  it ;  but  he  desired  not  to  be  pro- 
tected from  the  death  of  sin.  Oh,  unhappy  Adam  and 
Eve !  to  see  their  sin  visited  on  their  children — to  see 
their  instruction  in  the  way  of  redemption  thrown  away 
by  their  first-born  son :  but  blessed  again  to  see  that  by 
the  training  of  their  children  to  look  to  the  blood  of  the 
Lamb,  they  might  behold  them  rejoicing  in  salvation — 
the  Lord  having  respect  to  their  offering.  "  By  faith 
Abel  offered  unto  God  a  more  excellent  sacrifice  than 
Cain,  by  which  he  obtained  witness  that  he  was  right- 
eous, God  testifying  of  his  gifts ;  and  by  it,  he  being 
dead,  yet  speaketh."  Heb.  xi.  4.  O,  unhappy  brother! 
to  be  divided  in  spirit,  and  not  able  to  walk  with  a  be- 
liever in  peace.  But  blessed  Abel,  who  chose  the  way 
of  life,  and  who  was  an  example  of  the  truth  spoken  by 
the  Lord — "  He  that  will  lose  his  life  for  my  sake  shall 
find  it." 

Now,  my  dear  children,  let  me  take  you  a  moment  to 
the  commandment  which  was  added  because  of  trans- 
gression. We  see  the  law  written  in  the  heart  of  Abel ; 
we  see  Cain  without  excuse,  because  the  "  eternal  Power 
and  Godhead"  were  manifested  to  him,  by  "  the  things 
which  could  be  understood."  To  honour  their  father  and 
mother  must  have  been  an  obvious  and  manifest  duty 
and  law  of  God.  They  were  peculiarly  circumstanced 
too,  for  they  saw  their  parents,  though  in  fallen  nature, 
yet  as  lords  of  the  earth,  creatures  being  subject  to  them, 
and,  of  course,  themselves  put  under  them.  Abel 
proved  that  he  honoured  his  father  and  mother,  for  he 
"  heard  the  instruction  of  his  father,  and  forsook  not  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  201 

law  ol  His  mother ;"  he  served  in  faith  the  God  and  Sa- 
viour of  his  father  and  mother. 

Let  us  now  ask  Louisa  for  the  character  she  has  se- 
lected. 

Louisa  said,  "My  intention  was  to  have  named  Abra- 
ham and  his  family;  but,  perhaps,  uncle,  you  would 
prefer  to  have  them  in  more  order ;  and  in  that  case,  I 
think  Noah's  family  would  come  next." 

Au.  In  tracing  the  genealogy  of  Noah,  we  find  him 
the  tenth  from  Adam,  and  that,  on  account  of  the  great 
longevity  of  the  first  race,  Adam  was  living  above  fifty 
years  after  the  birth  of  Lamech,  the  father  of  Noah.  It 
is  an  interesting  consideration,  because  we  see  this 
goodly  company,  cotemporaries,  or  all  living  during 
some  part  of  their  lives  at  the  same  time.  I  mention 
this  cotemporaneous  existence  of  the  first  fathers,  to 
show  you  how  they  must  have  been  useful  to  each  other 
in  handing  down  the  instruction  of  Adam,  and  the 
knowledge  of  the  true  worship  of  God,  to  Noah,  who 
therefore  enjoyed  peculiarly  great  privileges,  and  he  was 
the  only  one,  at  length,  that  was  left  in  the  earth,  who 
found  grace  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  ;  and  when  the  de- 
structive flood  came  he  was  kept  alive  in  the  ark,  which 
God  had  commanded  him  to  make.  A  godly  father  is 
a  great  blessing  to  children.  Noah  was  permitted,  and 
even  commanded  to  take  his  children  with  him,  his  wife, 
and  three  sons  and  their  wives ;  eight  souls  were  saved 
in  the  ark.  By  this  they  were  all  taught  salvation  by 
Christ,  but  we  see,  after  this  preservation,  the  differ- 
ent character  of  the  sons,  by  their  conduct  to  their  fa- 
ther ;  two  honoured  him,  Shem  and  Japhet ;  but  Ham 
mocked  him ;  and  though  the  fifth  commandment  was 
not  then  given  in  form,  yet  it  is  evident  that  it  was  mani- 


202  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

fest  to  them,  what  was  the  law  of  God.  A  promise  was 
given  to  Shem  and  Japhet,  on  that  very  occasion  of  their 
respect  for  their  father,  and  the  curse  denounced  on 
Ham  for  his  disrespect.  It  speaks  as  plainly  as  though 
it  were  written,  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother, 
that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land,  that  thou  mayest 
live,  and  that  it  maybe  well  with  thee;"  and,  "  He  that 
curseth  father  or  mother,  let  him  be  put  to  death." 
There  was  a  division  made  in  Noah's  family;  Shem  and 
Japhet,  the  progenitors  of  the  Jewish  and  Gentile  Church, 
were  blessed  with  the  blessings  of  the  covenant,  but 
Ham  was  cursed,  and  the  curse  was  denounced  on  his 
son  Canaan.  Here,  again,  my  dear  children,  you  see 
how  the  interests  of  parents  and  children  are  interwoven; 
another  strong  example  to  us  that  parents  should  seek 
to  communicate  right  instruction,  and  that  children 
should  beware  how  they  despise  their  instruction,  or 
mock  or  deride  their  parents. 

After  this  history  of  Noah  and  his  sons,  do  you  ob- 
serve what  a  state  the  whole  earth  was  in  ?  The  infideli- 
ty which  had  grown  up  amongst  men  ?  That  instead  of 
seeking  salvation  in  the  Lamb,  and  cleaving  to  God, 
they  thought  to  save  themselves  by  a  high  tower,  and 
to  defy  the  vengeance  of  God  against  sin  !  But  we  read 
of  Shem  again,  and  of  his  sons,  generation  after  genera- 
tion, from  amongst  whom  we  find  Abraham  born  ;  but 
even  these  had  become  corrupt,  and  had  forgotten  God, 
and  were  idolaters  in  the  earth.  And  yet  God  forgets 
not  his  Promise  to  them.  Shem's  posterity  shall  be 
saved ;  and  therefore  was  pleased  to  called  Abraham. 

Do  you  remember,  Louisa,  where  we  are  told  of  the 
state  of  idolatry  into  which  even  the  descendants  of 
Shem  had  fallen  ? 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  203 

Louisa.  Yes,  in  Joshua  xxiv.  2,  "  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  God,  your  fathers  dwelt  on  the  other  side  of  the 
flood  in  old  time,  even  Terah  the  father  of  Abraham, 
and  the  father  of  Nahor ;  and  they  served  other  gods." 

Au.  No  wonder  that  when  the  Lord  took  Abraham, 
he  should  say,  "  Get  thee  out  from  thy  country,  and 
from  thy  kindred,  and  from  thy  father's  house."  When 
God  calls  his  children,  he  commands  them  to  come  out 
and  be  separate.  This  is  the  trial  of  love  to  God, 
"  Whosoever  loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is 
not  worthy  of  me."  Here  again  was  a  division  in  a  fa- 
mily, but  it  is  generally  supposed  that  Terah,  assenting 
to  the  call  of  his  son,  accompanied  him  out  of  Ur,  to  go 
with  him'unto  Haran  ;  and  if  so,  we  find  the  blessing  of 
a  son  to  a  father :  Abraham  acquainting  him  with  the 
call  of  God,  and  his  determination  to  obey ;  in  doing 
which  they  forsook  the  gods  of  the  nations,  and  became 
the  servants  of  the  one  only  true  God.  This  is  a  beau- 
tiful example ;  for  in  most  cases  of  this  kind,  when  a 
child  leaves  the  gods  of  his  father,  and  turns  unto  the 
Lord,  the  father  becomes  the  hater  and  persecutor  of 
his  child.  It  also  shows  that  when  a  child  is  called  of 
God  he  should  avow  it,  and  should  openly  declare  the 
persuasion  of  his  heart  to  follow  the  Lord.  This  open- 
ness prepares  the  way  for  peace,  when  the  motives  and 
the  power  of  the  claims  are  understood ;  and  in  all  in- 
stances, the  child's  conduct  is  more  likely  to  be  viewed 
in  a  right  light,  when  there  is  this  upright  candour,  and 
confession  of  the  Lord.  Besides  which,  it  may  be  that 
by  the  grace  of  Him  to  whom  all  things  are  possible, 
the  parent  may  be  persuaded  to  cast  his  idols  to  the 
moles  and  to  the  bats,  and  with  his  child  to  turn  to  the 
Lord.    I  may  assume  this,  perhaps,  as  a  proof  that 


204  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Abraham  honoured  his  father ;  but  at  least  we  have  full 
proof  that  he  honoured  his  heavenly  Father,  for  he 
obeyed  his  voice,  as  we  see  also  in  Heb.  xi.  8.  The  won- 
derful history  of  Abraham  is  in  every  part  deeply  in- 
teresting, but  as  we  have  chiefly  the  intention  of  draw- 
ing such  instruction  from  these  characters  as  relates  to 
the  conduct  of  children  to  parents,  we  must  pass  over 
much ;  only  bearing  in  mind  how  he  was  leaning  by 
faith  on  God.  The  great  proof,  for  our  purpose,  we 
derive  from  that  trial  of  Abraham,  when  commanded  to 
take  his  son  whom  he  loved,  and  to  offer  him  up  to  God 
as  a  burnt-offering.  His  obedience  to  this  solemn  and 
affecting  call,  proved  the  reality  of  his  faith,  for  as  he 
had  not  loved  his  father  more  than  God,  so  did  he  not 
love  his  son  more  than  God.  He  was  sustained  by  faith 
in  the  promise,  and  counted  that  God  was  able  to  raise 
up  Isaac  from  the  dead.  Heb.  xi.  And  we  may  perceive 
how  he  taught  his  son  Isaac,  and  how  Isaac  embraced 
the  faith  of  his  father,  whilst  he  obeyed  his  voice ;  for 
though  the  answer  to  Isaac's  question,  "  My  father,  be- 
hold the  fire  and  the  wood,  but  where  is  the  lamb?" 
appeared  ambiguous — "My  son,  God  will  provide  him- 
self a  lamb  for  a  burnt-offering" — yet  they  went  on  to- 
gether. And  when  Abraham  had  built  an  altar,  and  laid 
the  wood  in  order,  and  bound  Isaac  his  son,  and  laid 
him  on  the  altar,  would  he  not  know  that  he  himself  was 
to  be  the  burnt-offering  ?  But  he  made  no  resistance  to 
the  act  of  his  father,  because  it  appeared  to  be  the  will 
of  God  ;  no,  not  when  Abraham  stretched  forth  his  hand 
and  took  the  knife  to  slay  his  son !  My  dear  children, 
there  is  but  one  history  that  exceeds  this.  It  is  the  most 
certain  token  of  the  true  fellowship  of  Abraham  and  his 
son  Isaac,  in  entire  and  full  devotion  to  the  Lord  their 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  205 

God.  Did  not  Isaac  honour  his  father?  They  doubtless 
both  relied  on  the  promise,  but  it  appears  that  they  had 
no  idea  they  should  receive  it  through  disobedience  to 
God.  Great  as  was  the  trial,  they  believed  that  obedi- 
ence to  the  utmost  must  be  rendered  to  God,  and  that 
he  would  not  fail  in  his  promise,  which  must  be  immu- 
table. Blessed  Isaac,  who  had  such  a  father !  and  bless- 
ed Abraham,  who  had  such  a  son  !  They  went  both  of 
them  together,  as  it  is  affectingly  described,  in  the  path 
of  trial,  in  the  act  of  obedience,  and  in  the  dependance 
of  faith.  Here  was  no  division;  the  God  and  Father 
of  Abraham  was  the  God  and  Father  of  Isaac,  and  they 
both  served  him  in  faith,  reminding  us  of  the  text  in  2 
Cor.  xiii.  11,  "Be  of  one  mind,  live  in  peace,  and  the 
God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you." 

"  Oli  !  I  thank  you,  uncle,  for  showing  us  the  faith  and 
obedience  of  Isaac,"  said  Louisa,  with  tears  of  sacred 
feeling  dropping  on  her  cheeks. 

An.  My  dear  Louisa,  you  will  recollect  that  this 
transaction  was  a  type  of  that  still  higher  act  performed 
for  our  redemption;  and  as  it  was  so,  I  believe  that 
Isaac's  will  was  given  up  to  that  of  his  father,  in  a 
measure  of  that  spirit,  which  said,  "Not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done," — so  entirely,  that  the  act  of  the  two  was 
as  the  act  of  one.  This  shows  us  with  what  confidence 
children  may  yield  obedience  to  the  will  of  a  parent, 
who  loves  and  believes  the  Lord,  and  that  however  try- 
ing, in  appearance,  the  thing  which  is  ordered  maybe, 
it  will  end  in  enlarged  blessings.  God  will  provide  him- 
self a  lamb,  and  we  shall  be  delivered. 

"  But,"  said  George,  "  you  know,  uncle,  Abraham  had 
another  son,  Ishmael." 

An.  I  do,  George,  and  it  will  be  useful  to  show  how, 
18 


206  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

through  that  son,  there  was  division  in  the  house  of 
Abraham,  until  he  was  cast  out  according  to  God's  com- 
mand ;  for  there  were  particular  purposes  in  God's  pro- 
vidences, in  the  banishment  of  Ishmael ;  and  Abraham's 
obedience  had  passed  through  that  trial  also,  of  casting 
him  forth,  according  to  God's  word ;  receiving  at  the 
same  time  promises  for  him  of  a  temporal  nature.  You 
see  always  what  is  the  cause  of  division.  "  He  that  is 
born  after  the  flesh,  persecuteth  him  that  is  bom  after 
the  spirit,"  Gal.  iv.  29.  "  And  Tshmael  mocked  Isaac," 
Gen.  xxi.  9.  Take  it  as  a  warning,  my  dear  young 
friends ;  it  is  not  impossible  that  among  you,  one  of 
a  family  may  be  turned  to  the  Lord,  and  another 
may  be  tempted  to  persecute,  and  be  an  Ishmael  or  a 
Cain.  Beware  of  such  a  feeling,  and  remember  that  it 
is  a  dishonour  done  to  God,  and  to  him  who  is  the  father 
of  you  both. 

"  Will  you  be  so  kind,  uncle,"  said  Charles,  "  as  to  go 
on  with  the  descendants  of  Abraham,  and  show  us  how 
Isaac  and  Jacob  lived  together ;  for  I  am  sometimes  sur- 
prised at  that  history,  seeing  what  a  beautiful  character 
Isaac's  is." 

Au.  The  spirit  of  Isaac  seems  to  have  been  one  of 
peculiar  filial  piety.  His  sorrow  for  his  mother's  death, 
which  is  intimated,  and  his  entire  submission  of  himself 
to  the  direction  of  his  father,  even  in  the  selection  of  a 
wife,  are  full  evidences  of  his  honour  of  his  father  and 
mother.  But  human  nature  is  not  perfect  even  in  its 
state  of  grace,  and  we  lament  to  see  in  such  a  character, 
a  kind  of  indulgence  of  appetite  which  became  a  snare 
to  him,  to  his  wife,  and  to  his  sons.  There  was  a  divi- 
sion in  Isaac's  family.  He  had  two  sons,  Esau  and  Ja- 
cob.   Jacob  was  the  child  in  whom  the  promise  was 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  207 

vested,  and  who  highly  regarded  that  promise.  Esau 
was  not  a  child  of  God.  But  Isaac  seems  not  sufficient- 
ly to  have  remarked  this  difference.  Esau  made  savoury 
meat,  such  as  Isaac  loved ;  and  Isaac,  regardless  of  the 
declarations  which  God  had  solemnly  made,  that  Jacob 
was  the  chosen  child,  had  intended  to  give  the  blessing 
to  Esau,  though  Esau  had  despised  his  birthright  and 
sold  it  for  a  mess  of  pottage.  Appetite  had  assimi- 
lated Isaac  and  his  son  Esau  together,  who  were  other- 
wise so  opposite ;  but  Jacob  was  the  favourite  of  the 
mother.  Esau  administered  to  his  father's  appetite,  but 
did  not  honour  either  father  or  mother.  The  blessing 
was  to  be  administered  after  having  eaten  of  the  savoury 
meat,  and  Esau  was  despatched  to  take  the  venison  and 
prepare  it.  The  eagerness  of  Rebekah  to  obtain  and 
secure  the  blessing  for  her  favourite  son,  induced  her  to 
form  a  deceptive  scheme  to  obtain  by  subtlety  that  which 
God  had  promised.  How  unlike  was  all  this  to  the 
faith  of  Abraham !  Jacob  feared  to  enter  into  his  mo- 
ther's plan,  lest,  being  discovered,  he  should  bring  a  curse 
upon  himself,  and  not  a  blessing ;  but  he  forgot  the  great 
observer,  the  Lord  of  the  blessing  !  He  brought  the  kids 
to  his  mother ;  she  made  the  savoury  meat,  such  as  his 
father  loved  ;  he  submitted  to  be  covered  with  the  skins, 
and  went  in  to  his  father  with  a  lie.  He  availed  himself 
of  his  infirmities  of  body,  blindness,  and  natural  appe- 
tite ;  he  obeyed  his  mother  in  that  in  which  he  ought 
not  to  have  obeyed,  and  he  did  not  honour  his  father ; 
he  coveted  the  blessing,  but  without  seeking  it  in  the 
way  of  uprightness,  and  in  the  waiting  of  faith.  We 
might  be  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Can  this  family  be  the  de- 
scendants of  faithful  Abraham?"  Yes;  but  they  are  de- 
scendants; too,  of  fallen  Adam !  Isaac  blessed  Jacob  with 


208  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

all  the  blessing  that  God  had  designed,  and  which  he 
had  inspired  him  to  utter,  though  he  thought  he  was 
putting  them  on  Esau's  head.  When  the  discovery  was 
made  by  Esau's  return,  the  bonds  of  the  family  were 
broken  up :  Esau  determined  to  take  the  life  of  his  bro- 
ther, and  Jacob  was  obliged  to  flee  for  safety.  It  is  an 
instructive  history,  teaching  us  the  necessity  of  union 
in  the  Lord,  and  the  dangerous  effects  of  yielding  to 
any  inordinate  inclination  of  the  appetite.  Who  would 
think,  on  the  first  creeping  inclination,  that  a  mess  of 
pottage,  or  a  dish  of  savoury  meat,  could  become  the 
hindrance  to  spiritual  blessings,  and  the  means  of  mani- 
festing forgetfulness  of  God's  will  ?  The  two  sons  erred 
in  their  concession  to  their  parents,  in  the  things  they 
desired  them  to  do  contrary  to  God's  will,  and  they 
ought  to  have  known  how  to  have  respectfully  declined 
the  fulfilling  of  their  desires;  they  would  thus  have 
shown  true  honour  of  their  parents,  by  showing  them 
the  evil,  and  saving  them  from  the  distresses  which  en- 
sued. Do  you  wish,  Charles,  to  follow  Jacob,  and  look 
to  the  state  of  his  family  when  he  became  a  father  ? 

Charles.  I  think  it  would  be  improving  to  us,  be- 
cause we  see  the  truth  of  that  which  you  have  taught  us 
from  the  Word  of  God,  that  the  state  of  the  parent  has 
a  great  effect  upon  the  children,  according  to  what  is  de- 
clared in  the  second  commandment ; — but  I  know  what 
a  painful  picture  Jacob's  family  will  give. 

Au.  It  does,  indeed,  but  still  there  is  light  in  the  dark- 
ness. We  first  behold  Jacob,  after  his  deception  of  his 
father,  and  his  yielding  to  the  temptation  offered  by  his 
mother,  a  fugitive  from  his  father's  house,  seeking  his 
repose  in  the  open  air,  and  resting  his  head  on  a  stone. 
The  Lord  chasteneth  for  sin,  but  in  the  midst  of  anger 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  209 

he  remembereth  mercy ;  and  though  he  was  now  lead- 
ing him  into  scenes  of  trouble  and  trial,  that  he  might 
see  what  was  in  his  heart,  he  graciously  vouchsafed  to 
instruct  him  by  a  vision,  and  to  teach  him  on  whom  to 
depend,  and  to  whom  to  look.  Jacob  had  earnestly  and 
sincerely  desired  the  blessing  of  God,  and  to  possess  the 
promise;  in  so  much  it  was  well,  had  he  not  sought  to 
obtain  it  by  wicked  means,  like  unto  those  who  say, 
"  Let  us  do  evil  that  good  may  come."  His  respect  unto 
the  promise  was  acknowledged  by  the  Lord,  when  he 
in  mercy  renewed  it  to  him,  though  his  presumptuous 
scheme  for  seizing  upon  it  was  punished  by  the  chas- 
tisements which  followed.  And  all  the  miseries  which 
came  upon  him  through  the  sins  of  his  children,  had 
their  origin  in  his  own  sin ;  for  he  was  deceived,  and  his 
children  became  his  scourgers.  His  favourite  son, 
Joseph,  was  hated  by  his  brethren,  and  they  brought 
affliction  after  affliction  upon  their  father,  in  various  in- 
stances, proving  how  little  they  honoured  him,  and  how 
they  preferred  their  own  ways ;  having  wickedly  robbed 
their  father  of  his  beloved  Joseph,  and  sold  him  into 
Egypt  as  a  bond-servant,  they  deceived  him  by  his  rai- 
ment. In  short,  the  conduct  of  all  the  children  of  Ja- 
cob, except  Joseph  and  Benjamin,  was  rebellious,  cruel, 
and&ungodly ;  and  in  no  case  do  we  see  greater  deve- 
lopement  of  sin  than  was  exhibited  in  this  family.  He 
was  overpowered  by  their  rebellion  and  strife,  and  his 
grey  hairs  were  nearly  brought  down  in  sorrow  to  the 
grave.  But  God  reserved  comfort  for  him  in  the  won- 
derful providences  attendant  on  Joseph,  and,  before  his 
death,  reconciled  the  family,  placing  them  all  under  the 
protection  of  the  brother  whom  they  had  hated.  When 
they  began  to  feel  their  sins,  and  to  confess  them,  the 
18* 


210  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Lord  gave  forth  his  token  that  he  forgave  them ;  and 
then  Jacob,  in  the  fulness  of  his  grateful  heart,  could 
call  the  Lord  "  the  Angel  who  had  redeemed  him  from 
all  evil,"  and  seek  nothing  better  for  Joseph's  children 
than  that  He  should  "  bless  the  lads." 

The  history  of  Joseph  is  a  striking  illustration  of  the 
three  duties  due  to  parents;  for  he  honoured,  loved, and 
succoured  his  father. 

I  cannot,  my  dear  Charles,  go  through  the  particulars 
of  this  history ;  we  have  not  time  But  what  I  desire  is, 
to  direct  the  minds  of  you,  children,  to  such  a  discrimi- 
nation of  character  and  of  the  consequences  of  sin,  that 
you  may  be  able  to  discern  the  precise  duties  belonging 
to  the  fifth  commandment,  and  be  taught  to  seek  grace 
to  avoid  the  sins  of  undutiful  and  ungodly  children ;  by 
which  grace  alone  you  can  truly  honour  your  parents, 
or  hope  for  the  promise. 

Old  Thomas  here  remarked.  "  I  think,  Sir,  it  is  very 
affecting  to  look  into  another  family,  which  is  David's. 
It  is  very  like  to  Jacob's  ;  he  had  many  sons,  but  except 
one,  Solomon,  they  all  went  their  own  way,  and  brought 
shame  and  suffering  on  their  father.  I  know  this  was 
the  mode  in  which  God,  in  just  judgment,  punished  Da- 
vid for  his  dreadful  sin,  but  that  does  not  make  the 
wickedness  of  the  sons  less.  How  well  nigh  had  Absa- 
lom broken  his  father's  heart !  He  was  an  open  rebel, 
and  wanted  to  take  his  father's  crown  and  his  life  too. 

Au.  It  is  indeed  affecting  to  think  that  two  such 
men  should  have  been  so  visited  for  sin,  and  may  our 
dear  children  lay  these  things  to  heart.  How  many 
more  instances  we  have  in  Scripture,  by  which  to  learn 
the  same  truths.    But  I  fear  to  tire  you,  dear  children, 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  211 

and  we  had,  perhaps,  better  defer  them  to  our  next 
meeting-. 

Mary  looked  me  in  the  face,  and  said,  "  You  have  not 
had  mine  yet,  and  I  think  we  should  all  like  it." 

Au.    Let  me  know,  Mary,  what  your  selection  is. 

Mary.  It  is  the  family  of  Moses.  I  don't  mean  his 
children,  but  Moses  himself,  and  his  brother  and  sister. 
I  think  there  must  have  been  something  very  beautiful 
in  that  family. 

Au.  It  is  a  very  interesting  selection,  my  dear  Mary, 
and  shows,  to  us,  perhaps,  the  most  perfect  picture  of 
union  we  can  have  in  this  life,  because  both  father  and 
mother  appear  so  devoted  to  God,  and  to  have  been  so 
humbly  trusting  to  the  Lord.  In  the  second  chapter 
of  Exodus  we  read,  that  when  the  mother  saw  that  Mo- 
ses was  a  goodly  child,  she  hid  him  three  months,  to 
conceal  him  from  the  executioners  of  Pharaoh's  cruel 
law,  to  kill  all  the  male  children  of  the  people  of  Israel. 
And  when  she  could  conceal  him  no  longer,  she  made  a 
little  ark  of  bulrushes,  and  laid  him  by  the  river's  brink, 
setting  his  sister  Miriam  to  watch  what  should  become 
of  him.  In  this  act  she  committed  him  to  God  j  and  the 
father  was  of  the  same  mind :  for  it  is  said,  in  Heb.  xi. 
23,  "  By  faith,  Moses,  when  he  was  born,  was  hid  three 
months  by  his  parents,  because  they  saw  he  was  a  pro- 
per child,  and  they  were  not  afraid  of  the  king's  com- 
mandment." I  mention  the  parents  with  a  view  to  show 
you  that  they  loved  the  Lord.  The  extraordinary  pro- 
vidence of  the  Lord  separated  this  family,  Moses  being 
taken  by  Pharaoh's  daughter;  but,  in  process  of  time, 
the  children  were  reunited,  when  of  mature  age,  and 
prepared  j&or  God's  purpose :  and  it  is  indeed  beautiful  to 
gee  Aaron,  and  Moses,  and  Miriam,  all  serving  the  Lord 


212  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

in  such  eminent  stations.  During  which  appointment 
we  see  their  graces  eminent,  but  their  sins  also  discover- 
ed ;  for  there  is  none  good  but  one,  that  is  God.  Of 
their  conduct  as  children,  however,  we  have  no  infor- 
mation, except  that  of  the  watchful,  ready  obedience  of 
Miriam,  when  obeying  her  mother's  charge,  to  watch 
what  would  become  of  the  infant  Moses,  and  which  she 
was  permitted  so  successfully  to  manage.  But  as  bro- 
thers and  sister,  they  are  a  sweet  and  instructive  ex- 
ample. 

"  There  are  three  others  something  like  them  in  the 
New  Testament,"  said  old  Thomas ;  :;  Lazarus,  Martha, 
and  Mary.  It  is  beautiful  to  see  how  they  loved  each 
other,  and  all  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  and  you  know  it 
is  written,  '  Jesus  loved  Martha,  and  her  sister,  and  La- 
zarus.' John  xi.  5.  Sir,  we  have  seen,  in  the  other  his- 
tories, sad  divisions  for  want  of  being  of  one  mind  in 
the  Lord  ;  but  in  these  two  sisters,  and  their  brother, 
we  see  what  a  strong  bond  of  union  the  believing  in 
Jesus  forms." 

Though  I  had  not  appeared  to  notice  Isabella  much, 
I  had  observed  her  daily;  she  had  taken  her  seat,  with 
her  brother  William  near  her,  close  by  Mary.  She  often 
met  my  eye  whilst  I  was  speaking,  with  a  grave  and  at- 
tentive countenance,  and  frequently  looked  into  her 
young  brother's  face  when  anything  seemed  suitable  to 
their  case.  She  bent  one  of  these  intelligent  glances 
towards  him  now,  called  forth  by  the  allusion  to  the 
affection  of  brothers  and  sisters ;  and  it  led  me  to  ad- 
dress her. 

An.  Isabella,  I  think  that  the  honour  of  a  parent 
may  be  powerfully  expressed  by  children,  in  their  love 
to  each  other.   It  is  one  of  the  proofs  our  Lord  requires 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  213 

of  our  love  to  him,  that  we  love  our  brother  also :  "  This 
is  my  commandment,  that  ye  love  one  another."  What 
does  St.  John  say  of  those  who  say  they  love  God,  and 
yet  hate  their  brother?  "If  any  man  say,  I  love  God, 
and  hateth  his  brother,  he  is  a  liar."  1  John  iv.  20.  And 
in  the  21st  verse,  he  adds,  "  And  this  commandment  we 
have  from  Him,  that  he  who  loveth  God,  love  his  bro- 
ther also.  And  you  know  we  have  borne  in  mind  the 
analogy  there  is  between  our  duty  to  the  Lord  and  our 
duty  to  parents.  There  are  so  many  histories  I  should 
like  to  bring  before  you  on  this  subject,  had  we  the  com- 
mand of  time,  that  I  feel  sorry  to  shorten  the  considera- 
tion of  them.  I  think,  however,  that  we  might  ask  Isa- 
bella to  choose  one  history  before  we  close  the  evening. 

She  coloured,  and  looked  much  confused  at  being  so 
unexpectedly  called  upon,  and,  instead  of  speaking  to 
me,  spoke  something  in  a  low  voice  to  Mary : — 

Mary.    Isabella  wishes  me  to  speak  for  her. 

Au.    Do,  then,  Mary. 

Mary.  She  wishes  for  the  history  of  Ruth  and 
Naomi. 

I  was  struck  with  the  selection  made  by  her,  so  suita- 
ble to  her  natural  temper ;  and  smiling,  said — 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  Isabella ;  it  is  an  instance  not  to 
be  passed  over,  for  it  is  one  of  peculiar  interest,  and  a 
great  evidence  of  the  power  of  filial  love  and  duty.  I 
have  an  idea  that  a  great  part  of  the  interest  you  feel  in 
it  is,  perhaps,  drawn  from  the  first  description  of  them. 
Ruth  loved  her  mother,  and  expressed  her  love  by  her 
actions.  It  is  a  touching  picture  which  the  description 
of  Naomi  represents.  The  widow  of  Naomi  having  de- 
termined to  return  from  Moab  to  her  own  country,  her 
two  daughters-in-law,  whose  husbands  were  dead,  re- 


214  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

solved  to  accompany  her.  We  must  remember,  that 
these  daughters-in-law  were  of  the  people  of  Moab.  and, 
of  course,  had  been  brought  up  idolaters.  But  Naomi 
was  a  Jewess,  and  had  been  brought  up  to  worship  the 
Lord  God  of  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob.  She  had, 
with  her  husband,  left  her  own  country  because  of  a  fa- 
mine ;  but  when  she  heard  that  the  Lord  had  visited 
his  people  in  giving  them  bread,  she  resolved  to  return 
tc  the  land  of  Judah.  While  she  and  her  daughters-in- 
law  were  on  the  way,  Naomi  addressed  them ;  probably 
reflecting  how  unlikely  they  would  be  to  be  happy,  and 
how  unsuitable  it  would  be  for  them  to  dwell  among  a 
people  who  served  the  Lord,  while  they  themselves 
were  serving  the  false  gods  of  Moab.  Therefore  Naomi 
said  to  her  two  daughters-in-law,  '  Go,  return  each  to 
her  mother's  house ;  the  Lord  deal  kindly  with  you  as 
ye  have  dealt  with  the  dead,  and  with  me:  the  Lord 
grant  that  ye  may  find  rest  each  of  you.'  Then  she 
kissed  them,  and  they  lifted  up  their  voice  and  wept ; 
and  they  said  unto  her,  '  Surely  we  will  return  with 
thee  unto  thy  people.'  And  she  said,  '  Turn  again,  my 
daughters;  why  will  ye  go  with  me?  Turn  again,  my 
daughters,  go  your  way ;  for  it  grieveth  me  much  for 
your  sakes  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  gone  out 
against  me.  And  they  lifted  up  their  voice,  and  wept 
again :  and  Orpha  kissed  her  mother-in-law,  but  Ruth 
clave  unto  her.'  And  she  said, '  Behold  thy  sister-in-law 
is  gone  back  to  her  people,  and  unto  her  gods :  return 
thou  after  thy  sister-in-law.'  Ruth  said,  '  Entreat  me 
not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from  following  after  thee: 
for  whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go ;  and  where  thou  lodg- 
est,  I  will  lodge :  thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and 
thy  God  my  God.    Where  thou  diest,  I  will  die,  and 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  215 

there  will  I  be  buried :  the  Lord  do  so  to  me,  and  more 
also,  if  aught  but  death  part  thee  and  me.'  And  when 
Naomi  saw  that  she  was  steadfastly  minded  to  go  with 
her,  then  she  left  speaking  to  her.  And  they  two  went 
until  they  came  to  Bethlehem. 

"  Now,  my  dear  Isabella,  tell  me  if  you  do  not  see  a 
very  distinct  principle  of  attachment  in  these  two  daugh- 
ters-in-law to  their  mother.  Orpha  had  a  love  for  Nao- 
mi, or  she  would  not  have  set  out  to  accompany  her. 
She  wept  as  well  as  Ruth ;  and  she  as  well  as  Ruth  said, 
1  Surely  we  will  return  with  thee  to  thy  people.'  But 
when  Naomi  continued  to  entreat  them  to  return,  though 
she  wept  again,  yet  she  kissed  her  mother-in-law  and 
left  her.  Her  love  was  nothing  more  than  natural  love ; 
and  she  was  easily  persuaded  to  return  to  Moab  :  and 
Naomi  saw  what  she  really  preferred,  her  own  people, 
and  her  own  gods.  There  was  no  principle  of  union 
between  them  ;  a  few  tears  and  a  kiss  were  the  tribute 
for  a  moment,  and  they  easily  parted.  In  Ruth  we  see 
a  different  character ;  her  love  for  Naomi  was  one  of 
principle  and  reflection.  She  said  no  more,  but  whilst 
Orpah  departed,  she  clave  unto  Naomi,  besides  taking 
up  an  appropriation  of  the  people  and  the  God  of  Na- 
omi to  be  her  God  and  her  people.  She  further  ex- 
tended her  view  to  the  last  moment  of  life,  intimating 
that  even  after  the  death  of  Naomi  she  would  remain 
amongst  her  people,  and  in  the  service  of  her  God. 
1  Where  thou  diest,  I  will  die,  and  there  will  I  be  buried ;' 
and  then,  referring  herself  to  the  Lord,  declared,  that 
nothing  but  death  should  part  them.  These  arguments 
are  beyond  mere  natural  love;  they  showed  her  soul 
fixed  on  Naomi's  God,  and  her  mind  steadfastly  pur- 
posed.   Naomi  knew  how  to  appreciate  these  principles 


216  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

of  attachment,  and  the  union  was  established  in  the 
Lord.  O  that  every  daughter,  and  every  daughter-in- 
law,  and  every  son,  could  so  cleave  unto  their  parents 
in  the  indissoluble  bonds  of  the  love  of  God. 

"  We  will  make  a  reflection  here.  It  is  evident  that 
Naomi  had  not  left  her  daughters-in-law  ignorant  of  the 
great  difference  between  them  in  the  important  point 
of  religion  ;  that  she  had  instructed  them  in  the  differ- 
ence of  her  people  and  the  Moabites,  and  the  difference 
of  the  worship  of  the  one  only  true  God,  and  that  idola- 
try which  enslaved  the  Moabites.  She  had  not  only 
taught  them,  but  had  won  their  esteem ;  and  she  had, 
doubtless,  glorified  her  Lord  and  God  by  the  good 
works  she  had  been  able  to  show  to  them.  This  was 
the  mother's  duty !  The  effect  on  both  was  great:  even 
Orpah's  mind  seemed  affected  and  attracted ;  but  it  was 
not  the  effectual  work  of  a  gracious  conviction.  But 
Ruth's  soul  was  turned  to  Naomi's  God,  and  the  con- 
version of  her  heart  and  mind  were  fully  evinced.  You 
observe,  therefore,  my  dear  Isabella,  that  natural  love 
is  a  slight  and  transitory  thing,  liable  to  change ;  but 
spiritual  love  is  deep,  strong,  and  lasting,  because  its 
foundation  is  sure :  its  origin  is  in  God,  and  its  princi- 
ples vital.  Ruth,  then,  honoured  her  mother,  and  the 
Promise  was  with  her." 

Isabella  fixed  her  eyes  on  me  with  a  grateful  look  of 
affection,  and  evidently  applied  the  lesson  afforded  her 
from  her  own  selection. 

Au.  I  think  we  ought  to  ask  our  little  Jane  for  a 
character ;  and  I  think  I  will  tell  her  of  one  quite  suita- 
ble to  the  privilege  she  enjoys.  It  is  that  of  Timothy — 
2  Tim.  i.  5. — who  was  trained  up  by  his  grandmother, 
Lois,  and  mother,  Eunice.     You  see,  Jane,  the  faith  that 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  217 

dwelt  firstin  thy  grandfather ',  and  then  in  thy  father  ; 
and  I  think  we  may  add,  "  we  are  persuaded  in  thee 
also."  But  remember  the  exhortation  of  St.  Paul  to 
Timothy:  " Stir up  the  gift  of  God  which  is  in  thee: 
hold  fast  the  form  of  sound  words,  in  faith  and  love 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus."  And  happy  for  you,  my 
dear  girl,  that  you  may  "obey  your  parents  in  all 
things  in  the  Lord." 

This  little  application  to  Jane  gave  pleasure  to  all ; 
and  the  old  man  raising  his  trembling  hand  laid  it  on 
her  head,  repeating  Jacob's  words :  "  The  Angel  that  re- 
deemed me  from  all  evil,  bless  my  child  1"  And  soon 
after  this  we  all  parted  for  the  evening. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Note  to  the  teacher. — Necessary  separation  between 
pious  and  irreligious  persons. — Religion  in  busi- 
ness.— Duty  to  parents  and  God. —  Visit  to  the 
School. — Influence  of  religious  education. 

The  next  morning  I  acquainted  my  sister  with  the 
great  desire  I  felt  to  obtain,  if  possible,  an  interview  with 
the  young  lady,  the  teacher  already  mentioned,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  some  inquiries  relative  to  her  expe- 
rience of  the  effect  of  religious  instruction  on  the  con- 
duct of  children  towards  their  parents  ;  and  asked  if  she 
thought  she  could  in  any  proper  way  accomplish  it. 

This  question  seemed  to  excite  much  interest  among 
our  young  people,  who  all  seemed  particularly  anxious 
to  see  her. 

19 


218  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

After  a  moment's  consideration,  my  sister  said,  "  I 
think,  that  in  all  such  cases,  where  the  purpose  is  so 
distinctly  to  obtain  a  spiritual  benefit,  it  is  best  to  make 
a  direct  application  to  the  persons  concerned,  stating  the 
reason ;  and  it  is  not  probable  that  any  difficulty  would 
be  thrown  in  the  way.  This  prevents  any  undue  liber- 
ty, and  any  intrusion  at  a  time  when  visiters  might  not 
be  acceptable.  If  you  like,  I  will  write  a  note  to  the 
young  lady,  and  Louisa  shall  be  the  bearer  of  it." 

Louisa  sprung  from  her  chair  with  delight,  and 
Charles  said — 

"You  will  think  it  right,  my  dear  mother,  that  I 
should  accompany  my  sister?" 

"  Not  on  the  present  occasion,  my  dear  Charles."  she 
said ;  "  I  will  order  my  maid  to  attend  your  sister,  as  I 
would  wish  to  avoid  every  appearance  of  improper  in- 
trusion :  and  Louisa,  my  dear,  you  had  better  send  in  the 
note,  and  say  you  will  wait  the  answer  at  the  door  of 
the  school-room  ;  and  even  if  you  are  invited  in,  I 
should  recommend  that  you  politely  decline  accepting 
the  invitation." 

The  note  was  soon  written,  in  the  following  terms : — 

"My  dear  Madam — Though  an  entire  stranger,  I  take 
the  liberty  of  requesting  the  favour  of  an  hour's  con- 
versation on  the  subject  of  the  religious  instruction  you 
afford  to  so  many  young  people,  being  desirous  to  reap 
the  advantage  of  your  experience  in  this  interesting  en- 
gagement. I  would  beg  also  to  be  permitted  to  intro- 
duce my  own  children,  and  to  ask  at  the  same  time  if 
you  would  allow  my  brother  to  accompany  me,  who  is 
at  present  prosecuting  an  inquiry  on  one  branch  of 
Christian  duty  in  particular,  in  which  he  conceives  it 
most  probable  that  he  might  be  considerably  aided  by  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  219 

observations  you  might  be  able  kindly  to  communicate. 
With  much  esteem,  I  beg  to  subscribe  myself, 

"  Very  sincerely,  your's, 

"  L.  Forbes." 

Mrs.  Fi  You  shall  lose  no  time,  my  dear  Louisa, 
and  if  you  can  obtain  an  answer,  we  shall  perhaps  be 
able  to  gratify  your  uncle  and  ourselves  to-day. 

Louisa  was  soon  on  her  way,  leaving  us  seated  at  the 
table,  conversing  on  such  subjects  as  were  presented 
to  us. 

Charles  began,  by  saying,  "There  are  a  great  many 
characters  in  the  Scripture,  uncle,  from  which  we  may 
derive  great  instruction  respecting  the  conduct  of  chil- 
dren to  parents,  besides  those  we  did  consider  yesterday 
evening." 

Au.  Yes,  Charles ;  I  might  have  applied  St.  Paul's 
words :  "  But  what  shall  I  more  say,  for  the  time  would 
fail  me  to  tell  of  Hophni,  and  Phineas,  and  Gideon,  and 
Micah,  and  Samson,  and  Jonathan,  and  Herodias." 

"  Oh,  uncle ! "  exclaimed  George,  who,  whilst  he  lis- 
tened, had  nodded  his  head  to  each  of  the  names  as  they 
were  mentioned  ;  "  what  a  mixture  of  bad  and  good  !" 

Au.  Yes,  George,  it  is  a  mixture  of  light  and  dark- 
ness ;  only  you  will  remember  that  they  have  no  fel- 
lowship with  each  other. 

George.  No  ;  it  is  division  :  it  reminds  me  that  God, 
from  the  first,  divided  the  light  from  the  darkness,  "and 
God  called  the  light,  Day ;  and  the  darkness  he  called 
Night." 

Au.  That  is  a  good  lesson  for  us,  George ;  let  us  ap- 
ply it  to  our  hearts,  and  remember  how,  in  their  natural 
state,  they  are  darkness  and  sin ;  and  if  the  Lord  gives 


220  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

us  light,  we  must  see  that  it  divides  from,  the  darkness. 
We  may  be  given  up  to  darkness,  or  we  may  be  illu- 
minated with  the  light  of  life.  "  If  thine  eye  be  evil," 
the  Lord  says,  "  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of  dark- 
ness ;  but  if  thine  eye  be  single,  thy  whole  body  shall 
be  full  of  light."  LuJce  xi.  34.  And  so  St.  Paul,  address- 
ing the  Thessalonians,  says,  "  Ye  are  all  the  children  of 
the  light,  and  the  children  of  the  day ;  we  are  not  of  the 
night,  nor  of  darkness."     1  Thess.  v.  5. 

With  this  idea,  my  sister  said,  "  How  beautifully  does 
it  refer  us  to  Jesus,  who  is  called  the  Day-Star,  the  Day- 
spring:  'He  is  the  Light  that  lighteth  every  man.'" 

As  it  would  be  some  time  before  Louisa  could  return, 
we  agreed  to  separate ;  and  I  went  out  to  call  on  my 
friend,  Mr.  Conway,  who  immediately  commenced  a 
conversation  on  the  subject  of  the  divisions  in  families, 
and  said — 

"  I  should  much  like  to  go  with  you  to  talk  to  a  fami- 
ly in  my  neighbourhoood,  with  the  view  of  ascertaining 
what  is  the  real  reason  of  the  unhappiness  there,  and 
which  is  the  blameable  party,  the  father  or  the  son.  The 
complaints  of  the  father  are  bitter,  and  I  have  always 
thought  it  impossible  that  a  father  could  feel  so  severely 
against  his  son  without  some  strong  provocation. 

Au.  I  have  an  hour  or  two  at  my  disposal  this  morn- 
ing, and  I  will  with  pleasure  accompany  you  •  perhaps, 
too,  we  may  be  so  happy  as  to  be  peace-makers. 

Mr.  C.  I  begin  to  suspect  the  difference  is  on  account 
of  religion. 

Au.  If  so,  the  office  we  would  desire  to  fulfil  will 
prove  very  difficult,  if  not  impossible ;  for  they  have,  in 
that  case,  two  such  opposite  springs  of  thought,  word, 
and  deed,  that  they  must  for  ever  dissent  from  each 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  221 

other.  Nature  possesses  the  carnal  mind  only,  and 
grace  receives  a  spiritual  mind ;  all  the  movements  of  the 
heart,  all  the  motives  of  action,  all  the  ends  in  view,  are 
"  diverse  one  from  the  other ;"  and  they  are  irreconcila- 
ble one  to  the  other.  The  natural  mind  may  have  ami- 
able intentions  and  feelings ;  but  being  only  natural,  it 
cannot  discern  or  understand  the  principles  of  the  gra- 
cious mind ;  therefore  they  are  continually  mistaken, 
and  wrong  motives  ascribed  to  them.  These  are  two 
unbending  principles,  nor  can  congeniality  be  produced 
but  by  the  overpowering  grace  of  God,  operating  upon 
the  heart  of  the  unconverted,  and  letting  in  that  light 
upon  the  soul  which  can  enable  it  to  discern  spiritual 
things.  No  wonder,  then,  that  where  this  difference  ex- 
ists, there  should  be  division.  But  there  is  often  a  la 
mentable  and  needless  aggravation  of  this  evil  from  the 
want  of  wise  conduct  on  both  sides. 

"  Here  is  the  house,"  said  my  friend ;  "  the  father  is  a 
respectable  kind  of  a  man,  and  engaged  in  a  little  trade, 
by  which  he  makes  a  decent  provision  for  his  family. 
We  will  go  in  and  make  some  purchase." 

Though  the  civility  of  the  tradesman  naturally  threw 
an  expression  of  pleasure  on  his  face,  there  was  an  evi- 
dent care  on  the  brow,  which,  in  the  intervals  of  recom- 
mending his  goods,  seemed  the  predominant  aspect. 

"  How  is  your  son  ?"  inquired  my  friend. 

Tradesman.    Well,  I  thank  you,  Sir. 

Mr.  C.    Is  his  conduct  more  pleasing  to  you  of  late? 

Tradesman.  I  cannot  say,  Sir ;  I  have  this  morning 
been  exceedingly  grieved  with  him. 

Mr.  C.    May  I  ask  the  cause  ? 

Tradesman.  It  is  very  vexatious  to  a  father,  when 
he  wants  to  promote  the  interest  of  his  son,  to  be  always 
19* 


222  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

thwarted  by  perverse,  refractory  ways ;  and  he  is  of 
such  an  obstinate  nature,  there  is  no  bending  him  when 
once  his  mind  is  made  up ;  for  this  reason,  I  have  tried 
what  I  can  do  by  stratagem  to  get  my  own  way,  but  he 
inspects  particulars  so  minutely  that  I  cannot  succeed. 

Mr.  C.     What  is  the  present  disappointment  ? 

Tradesman.  It  is  this,  Sir :  A  few  days  since  I  had 
an  offer  from  a  gentleman  in  a  great  way  of  trade,  to 
take  my  son  into  his  counting-house  :  he  had  seen  him 
and  thought  he  was  a  promising  youth.  Now,  Sir,  you 
may  be  sure  that,  as  it  was  natural  for  a  father,  I  was 
rejoiced  at  such  a  prospect ;  it  would  have  been  the 
making  of  him,  and  set  him  on  his  legs  at  once.  He 
himself  seemed  pleased  at  first,  but  then  he  began  to  in- 
quire into  the  nature  of  the  business,  and  the  charac- 
ter of  the  gentleman ;  and  when  he  found  it  to  be  one 
said  to  be  not  very  honourable,  and  that  the  gentleman 
himself  did  not  worship  God  in  his  way,  he  said  he 
could  not  consent :  and  I  have  been  hard  at  work  these 
three  days  to  endeavour  to  overcome  his  prejudices. 

At  that  moment  some  other  person  came  into  the  shop, 
and  the  man  ringing  a  little  bell,  it  was  answered  by  the 
appearance  of  a  youth  about  eighteen  years  old,  to  whom 
he  gave  a  signal  to  go  to  the  other  counter,  and  attend 
to  the  customer.  He  went,  and  in  a  quiet  way  supplied 
their  demands. 

Tradesman.  That's  my  son,  Sir;  he's  a  promising 
looking  youth  :  it's  a  thousand  pities  he's  so  self-willed. 
And  you  see,  Sir,  (he  continued,)  he  has  no  spirit  in 
business.  He  will  not,  all  I  can  do,  learn  to  commend 
the  goods,  and  endeavour  to  persuade  people  to  buy.  I 
believe  he  lets  many  a  customer  slip  away ;  and  yet,  as 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  223 

I  tell  him,  it's  all  to  his  own  disadvantage,  for  the  less  J 
make,  the  less  heHl  get. 

As  the  customers  were  soon  supplied,  I  went  to  the 
other  side  to  enter  into  a  little  conversation  with  the 
youth.  He  had  the  appearance  of  great  unhappiness, 
but  there  was  a  calmness  in  his  countenance  which  gave 
a  peculiar  interest  to  it. 

Au.    Are  you  bringing  up  to  your  father's  business? 

Yng.  M.  I  can  hardly  say,  Sir ;  I  am  naturally  help- 
ing my  father,  but  I  don't  think  he  means  me  for  this 
kind  of  business. 

Au.    What  are  his  intentions  for  you  ? 

Yng.  M.  I  believe  he  wishes  to  put  me  in  a  way  more 
likely  to  advance  my  temporal  interest. 

Au.  But  sometimes  when  we  look  to  the  temporal, 
we  forget  the  spiritual  interests.  Do  you  wish  to  com- 
bine the  two  ? 

Yng.  M  It  is  on  this  point,  Sir,  my  father  and  I  have 
some  little  difference  ;  for  whatever  becomes  of  the  tem- 
poral, I  hope  never  to  forget  the  spiritual  interest.  Like 
a  kind  father,  who  believes  all  the  good  that  can  be  de- 
sirable is  to  be  obtained  through  temporal  prosperity,  he 
naturally  fixes  his  mind  on  that  only.  He  means  it  for 
my  good,  I  know,  Sir,  and  that  makes  it  harder  to  seem 
to  reject  his  kindness. 

My  friend,  seeing  me  enter  into  conversation  with  the 
youth,  contrived  to  draw  the  father  with  him  over  to  my 
side  of  the  shop  ;  and  I  instantly  took  the  advantage,  by 
saying  to  him,  "  I  am  talking  to  your  son,  about  his  fu- 
ture prospects." 

"Ah,  Sir!"  he  said,  with  a  severe  tone,  "that's  a 
matter  we  are  at  variance  about.  I  have  had  three  good 
opportunities  for  him,  but  he  has  refused  them  all :  and 


224  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

if  he  wants  to  hang  on  with  me  in  an  idle  way,  he's 
mistaken." 

"  Dear  father,"  said  the  young  man,  u  only  provide 
me  an  honest  way  of  getting  my  livelihood,  where  I  can 
serve  God  and  my  master,  and  you  shall  see  I  want  no 
idleness." 

Tradesman.  It's  such  a  stupid  way  of  talking  he's 
got,  as  if  he  could  not  serve  his  master,  as  his  master, 
and,  surely,  he  can  serve  God  like  other  people.  He 
may  say  his  prayers  night  and  morning,  and  there's 
Sunday  for  church-going,  as  if  he  couldn't  take  care  of 
his  soul  like  other  people ;  but  (taking  up  a  bit  of  paper, 
twisting  it  hard,  and  throwing  it  down  again  on  the 
counter,  with  an  expression  of  violence)  /  know  who  I 
have  to  thank  for  this  turn. 

The  young  man's  face,  before  calm,  now  flushed  as 
though  a  feeling  had  been  touched  too  acute  to  be  kept 
in  its  full  restraint ;  his  mouth  half  opened  to  reply,  but 
he  closed  it  again  without  a  word. 

"  I  fairly  tell  you,  then,"  the  father  continued,  "  that 
if  you  persist  in  refusing  to  accept  this  offer,  you  may 
turn  out  and  shift  for  yourself." 

Yng.  M.  Father,  I  own  I  should  feel  it  hard,  but  I  can 
submit  to  that  in  obedience  to  your  will,  though  I  can- 
not, I  must  not,  submit  to  the  other  condition.  Oh ! 
Sir !  (he  said,  appealing  to  me  in  an  accent  of  heart-rent 
distress,)  what  would  I  give  that  my  father  could  see  my 
true  reason  for  seeming  to  slight  his  kindness  ! 

Tradesman.  I'll  tell  you  what,  John,  if  it  wasn't 
the  same  in  everything  I  propose,  I  should  think  you 
had  some  good  reason  for  this ;  but  since  it's  in  every- 
thing, I  know  it's  your  bad,  obstinate  temper.  But  it  is 
in  vain,  gentlemen,  to  think  of  turning  him  ;   I  can't 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  225 

make  him  feel :  I  might  as  well  try  to  persuade  this 
counter  as  to  turn  him. 

That  he  made  him  feel  now  was  too  evident;  for, 
taking  his  handkerchief  out  of  his  pocket,  he  hastened 
out  of  the  shop. 

Tradesman.  Now  you  see,  gentlemen,  that's  al- 
ways the  end,  and  I  can  make  no  more  of  him  than 
that,  till  I  declare  I  know  not  what  to  do;  it  would  per- 
plex any  one. 

Au.  But  you  are  quite  well  acquainted,  it  seems, 
with  his  reasons. 

Tradesman.  His  reasons,  Sir!  You  see  they  are 
such  reasons  !  as  if  he  would  make  a  religion  of  his  own, 
and  tell  his  father  that  he  didn't  know  what  serving 
God  meant. 

His  spirit  was  getting  much  exasperated,  by  the  opera- 
tions of  his  own  mind,  and  I  said, 

"  I  think  a  young  man  is  to  be  respected  for  his  rea- 
sons, if  they  bear  upon  his  duty  to  God,  and  you  should 
be  very  careful  how  you  reject  them,  for  they  may  come 
from  a  higher  source  than  you  suppose.  At  least  he 
shows  wisdom  in  making  his  calculation  upon  grounds 
reaching  further  than  temporals ;  there  is  a  time  when 
they  shall  end,  and  eternal  things  only  remain.  You  are 
calculating  for  his  good  ;  you  are  willing  to  let  him  go 
away  from  home  to  be  provided  for  a  period  beyond  the 
present :  the  difference  is,  that  he  makes  a  longer  cal- 
culation than  you  do,  and  it  appears  to  me  that  his  plan 
has  the  most  wisdom  in  it." 

Tradesman.  O,  Sir,  I  see  you  are  on  his  side,  and  so 
you  cannot  enter  into  my  feelings. 

Au.  I  will  not  deny  that  I  am  on  his  side,  but  I  do 
not  agree  that  I  cannot  enter  into  your  feelings.    I  have 


226  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

this  advantage  over  you,  that  having  been  by  nature  of 
the  same  way  of  thinking  as  you,  and  being  now  by 
grace  in  the  same  way  as  your  son,  /  can  understand 
you  both;  and  I  wish,  for  that  reason,  that  you  would 
allow  me  to  advise  you. 

With  a  tone  that  implied  great  incredulity,  he  said, 
"  Good  advice  would  be  very  acceptable." 

Au.  I  would  then  advise  you  to  reflect  well  upon  the 
principle  which  operates  on  your  son's  mind,  and  I  think 
it  appears  to  be  a  sense  of  his  duty  to  God. 

Tradesman.  Perhaps  it  may  be ;  but  his  duty  to 
God  should  teach  him  his  duty  to  his  parents. 

Au.  Very  true,  it  should,  indeed ;  but  what  is  to  be 
done  if  the  parent,  for  want  of  proper  understanding  of 
the  truth,  should  propose  anything  to  his  child  contrary 
to  his  duty  to  God  ? 

Tradesman.  But  that's  not  my  case,  Sir ;  I  want  no- 
thing  but  his  advantage. 

Au.  Temporal  advantage,  even  though  it  be  at  the 
expense  of  eternal  advantage.  Now,  however  natural 
it  is  for  a  parent  to  desire  present  good  things  for  his 
child,  yet  if  they  be  found  to  interfere  with  his  future 
well-being,  he  ought  to  renounce  them  utterly,  and  sa- 
crifice the  present  for  the  future.  Your  son  is  setting 
you  the  example ;  you  cannot  suppose  that  present  ad- 
vantages are  indifferent  to  him,  but  he  can  sacrifice  them, 
rather  than  risk  the  injury  of  his  future  happiness. 
"  Deny  thyself,"  is  the  lesson  of  the  Lord,  and  a  lesson 
of  the  cross,  without  which,  he  cannot  follow  Jesus. 
Do  you  think  it  gives  him  no  pain  to  have  to  decline 
your  wishes  ?  It  is  evident  he  suffers  daily  from  this  ne- 
cessity, and  that  the  whole  cause  of  the  difference  be- 
tween you  is  because  you  cannot  enter  into  his  mind. 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  227 

Had  you  placed  him  with  one  master,  and  another  came 
to  him  to  demand  his  attentions,  which  were,  besides, 
of  a  quite  opposite  nature  to  those  in  which  he  was  en- 
gaged with  the  first,  would  you  blame  him  if  he  refused 
the  one,  and  held  to  the  other? 

Tradesman.  But  what  has  that  to  do  with  this  case, 
Sir? 

Au.  That  he  is  engaged  to  serve  one  master,  even 
the  Lord,  and  you  propose  to  him  to  serve  another, 
who  is  contrary  to  the  Lord.  Blame  him  not  that  he 
refuses  to  serve  the  one,  and  adheres  to  the  service  of 
the  other.  If  you  have  not  the  same  principles,  let  him, 
act  according  to  his  own,  which  you  dare  not  deny  to 
be  right.  Seek  a  master  for  him  who  will  himself  be  in 
the  service  of  the  same  Lord,  and  then  you  will  find  his 
ready  compliance  with  your  will — then  you  will  under- 
stand that  whilst  he  honours  you  as  his  father,  he  can 
obey  you  in  the  Lord. 

Tradesman.  It  would  all  lead  to  this,  Sir: — that  his 
will,  not  mine,  is  to  be  obeyed. 

Au.  But  you  forget  that  his  will  is  directed  by  the 
Lord's  will,  which  is  supreme — "  whether  we  must 
obey  God  or  man,  judge  ye."  I  think  you  would  be 
spared  much  unhappiness  if  you  would  calmly  endea- 
vour to  understand  the  cause  of  the  differences  which 
arise  between  you  ;  and  perhaps  in  so  doing,  your  own 
heart  might  be  lifted  up  in  praise  to  that  Lord  and  Mas- 
ter, who,  without  your  asking  him,  has  engaged  your 
own  son  in  his  gracious  service.  Remember  how  it  is 
written,  "  What  will  it  profit  a  man  to  gain  the  whole 
world,  and  lose  his  own  soul."  Mark  viii.  36.  But  it  is 
also  written,  "  Godliness  with  contentment  is  great 
gain."  1  Tim.  yi.  6.    May  I  prevail  upon  you  to  re- 


228  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

spect  your  son's  motives,  and  to  permit  him  to  act  as  a 
young  man  ought  to  do,  on  conscientious  principles  to- 
wards God  ?  You  may  still  differ  in  sentiment,  but  you 
would  at  least  not  be  putting  violence  on  the  gracious 
disposition  of  the  youth.  Why  should  you  be  angry 
that  his  soul  aspires  after  the  greatest  happiness,  in  serv- 
ing God  ? 

I  turned  to  my  friend,  and  proposed  to  return  home. 

As  we  went  out  of  the  house— "I  see  how  it  is,"  he 
said ;  "  and  if  my  Mary  is  to  be  one  of  those  who  will 
prefer  the  will  of  God  to  mine,  may  I  find  grace  to  re- 
sign my  will  to  his!" 

Au.  Then,  my  friend,  will  she  be  the  happy  girl  that 
can  obey  her  father  in  all  things;  for  this  will  be  ac- 
ceptable to  the  Lord,  and  "  rightP 

We  parted  once  more,  and  on  reaching  my  own  doorr 
I  found  Louisa. arriving  just  at  the  same  time.  With  a 
cheerful  voice,  she  said — 

"  I  bring  an  invitation  for  us  all,  uncle ;  the  lady  had 
not  a  moment  to  write  an  answer,  but  she  spoke  to  me 
herself,  and  desired  me  to  say  that  she  would  be  happy 
to  receive  us  in  the  school-room  at  two  o'clock." 

Au.  I  am  glad  you  have  been  a  successful  messenger; 
we  will  make  instant  arrangements  for  our  visit. 

Accordingly  at  the  appointed  hour  we  were  all  there. 

The  lady  received  us  with  friendly  courtesy,  and  en- 
tirely prevented  any  apologies  by  her  immediate  accom- 
modation of  the  party  with  chairs.  She  was  surrounded 
by  about  thirty  girls,  who  were  all  engaged  in  repeating 
texts  of  Scripture  in  answer  to  questions  proposed.  We 
begged  we  might  not  interrupt  the  business  of  the 
school. 

Lady.    If  you  will  excuse  it,  I  will  finish  this  exa- 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  229 

mination,  which  is  near  its  conclusion,  and  then  they 
will  sit  down  to  their  writing,  which  will  leave  me  at 
liberty. 

The  manner  of  the  children  was  very  pleasing :  their 
faces  expressed  a  love  for  their  teacher,  and  at  the  same 
time  they  behaved  with  respect  and  attention.  We  felt 
quite  at  ease,  and  as  soon  as  the  writing  commenced,  ad- 
verted to  our  object,  by  saying — 

"  We  are  pressing  an  inquiry  at  present  into  the  influ- 
ences of  a  consistent  religious  education  over  the  con- 
duct of  children  to  parents,  and  it  is  always  an  advant- 
age to  have  living  examples ;  but  I  find  the  prevalence 
of  disobedience  so  great,  that  I  am  sorry  to  say,  it  is  not 
easy  to  find  many  proofs  to  exhibit,  in  order  to  illus- 
trate the  power  of  an  education  which  is  directed  by 
God's  law." 

Lady.  I  can  bear  testimony  to  its  power  by  some 
examples,  which,  though  in  humble  classes,  will  perhaps 
answer  the  end  you  have  in  view  ;  for,  wherever  the  re- 
ligious instruction  has  its  due  influence,  there  we  see  a 
manifest  effect  on  the  life  and  conduct,  in  the  private 
scenes  of  home  ;  especially  of  children  to  parents,  and 
many  severe  trials  is  principle  put  to  by  the  ignorance 
and  ungodliness  of  the  parents.  I  have  many  cases  of 
difficulty  to  direct;  and  others  which  bring  a  delightful 
acknowledgement  of  the  peace  and  happiness  diffused 
through  a  cottage  by  the  example  and  lovely  obedience 
of  a  Christian  child. 

Au.  Do  you  find  these  instances  prevail  where  there 
is  most  knowledge  of  the  Word  of  God  ? 

Lady.  Knowledge  and  grace  are  distinct  gifts:  know- 
ledge alone  does  not  effect  a  change  of  conduct ;  know- 
ledge without  grace  is  like  "  faith  without  works,  dead, 
20 


230  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

being  alone."  In  some  cases  where  there  is  a  readiness 
to  acquire  knowledge,  there  is  not  a  disposition  to  receive 
grace;  then  they  are  high-minded,  and  under  a  pretext 
of  religion,  assume  a  dictatorial  manner,  often  despising 
their  parents,  and  taking  the  liberty  to  throw  off  re- 
straint. And  yet  in  many  other  cases,  knowledge  is  of  a 
constraining  nature,  for  they  find  a  condemning  sentence 
against  sin,  and  an  encouraging  promise  to  an  upright 
walk ;  whilst  grace  without  much  knowledge  will  gov- 
ern the  conduct  of  the  child  in  an  obedient  submission. 
But  grace  with  knowledge  is  the  state  in  which  we  see 
the  most  minute  attention  to  the  duties  of  their  station, 
and  the  honour  due  from  a  child  to  a  parent. 

Au.  It  would  be  instructive  to  these  young  people 
if  you  could  favour  us  with  some  account  of  some  such 
instances. 

She  smiled,  and  said,  "  There  is  a  girl  of  the  last  de- 
scription who  has  stood  in  a  remarkable  situation.  Her 
mother  died  when  she  was  young;  her  elder  sister  mar- 
ried ;  and  she  was  left  to  be  the  housekeeper,  and  ser- 
vant, and  child,  and  friend,  all  in  one,  of  her  father. 
And  her  father  was  a  man  without  a  sense  of  religion, 
of  bad  conduct,  and  morose  temper,  wasteful  of  his  lit- 
tle property,  and  objecting  to  work,  except  when  com- 
pelled by  absolute  necessity.  The  girl,  whose  name  is 
Bella,  soon  felt  the  heavy  weight  and  responsibility  of 
her  arduous  situation,  and  the  necessity  of  applying,  for 
her  direction,  all  the  precepts  of  the  word  of  God.  Many 
friends  advised  her  to  leave  her  father,  and  to  let  him 
feel  her  loss,  that  he  might  be  induced  to  promise  better 
conduct ;  but  to  this  she  could  never  yield,  except  when 
tempted  to  think  of  it  by  the  bad  company  he  sometimes 
brought  into  the  house.    She  worked  hard  at  a  little 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  231 

trade  which  she  had  learned,  and  often,  through  her  own 
earnings,  has  supported  both  of  them,  and  the  respecta- 
bility of  their  station,  for  months  together  without  any 
aid  from  her  father.  She  not  only  felt  her  responsibility 
for  his  bodily  comforts,  and  her  duty  to  conceal  his  in- 
firmities and  sins  as  much  as  possible  from  observation, 
but  she  felt  his  soul  to  be  her  charge,  and  she  watched 
over  him  with  exhortation,  remonstrance,  persuasion, 
and  precept ;  and  sometimes  her  own  soul  has  been  en- 
livened with  hope,  when  she  has  seen  a  tear  of  convic- 
tion in  his  eye,  or  heard  a  word  of  promise  from  his  lips. 

"  From  time  to  time  she  has  been  sustained  by  these 
little  rays  of  comfort,  and  when  he  has  afterwards  re- 
turned into  his  usual  bad  habits,  she  has  chided  herself 
for  being  cast  down,  yet  hoping  in  God  ;  and  from  year 
to  year  has  gone  on  in  this  way  desiring  to  honour  her 
father,  loving  his  soul,  and  succouring  him  in  every  way 
in  her  power,  praying  for  him  earnestly  that  he  might 
be  converted  and  live. 

"  Besides  this,  his  health  broke,  and  he  became  sickly 
and  diseased ;  he  required  nursing  night  and  day,  and 
she  redoubled  her  exertions  to  meet  the  increased  claims 
upon  her  duty.  Every  time  there  was  a  little  amend- 
ment, he  threw  himself  back  by  some  act  of  intemperate 
indulgence ;  and  though  her  trouble  was  thus  always  re- 
newed, she  with  unwearied  patience  resumed  the  duty 
which  was  again  called  for. 

"  At  length  her  father  thought  by  taking  lodgers  into 
the  house,  he  might  gain  a  little  income  without  personal 
exertion ;  she  submitted,  and  fulfilled  the  increased  du- 
ties this  plan  brought  upon  her  without  a  complaint ; 
until  he  became  so  inattentive  to  her  comforts,  and  to 
the  conduct  due  from  a  parent  to  a  daughter,  that,  re- 


232  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

gardless  of  character  or  consequences,  he  received  into 
his  house  a  set  of  people  which  rendered  it  not  only  dis- 
tasteful to  her  pious  mind,  but  also  dangerous  to  her 
character.  She  now  paused  upon  the  step  proper  for 
her  to  pursue.  Here  was  a  breach  which  interrupted 
her  duty  to  God,  and  rendered  her  liable  to  the  painful 
circumstance  of  being  made  to  administer  to  sin,  even 
of  the  most  flagrant  kind.  She  therefore  first  affection- 
ately and  solemnly  warned  her  father,  laid  before  him 
all  the  consequences,  acquainted  him  with  the  necessity 
it  would  lay  upon  her  to  leave  him,  and  with  tears  en- 
treated him  to  change  his  conduct,  and  make  it  possible 
for  her  to  remain  in  the  situation  of  taking  care  of  him; 
and  if  not,  stating  her  determination  to  accept  the  offer 
of  a  situation,  which  for  his  sake  she  had  declined  for 
many  years. 

"  He  was  outrageous  at  this  remonstrance,  and  at  the 
impending  consequences  to  himself,  as  he  knew  the  loss 
he  should  sustain;  but  as  he  determined  to  make  no 
change,  she,  in  her  duty  to  God  and  her  own  soul,  took 
her  resolution — she  left  her  father.  The  wages  she  earn- 
ed she  saved  up,  sending,  from  time  to  time,  such  assist- 
ance to  him,  in  small  sums,  as  helped  to  support  him. 
In  a  few  months  his  health  again  failed,  his  lodgers  for- 
sook him,  he  had  no  friends,  and  he  lay  destitute:  then 
the  dutiful  Bella  resigned  her  happy  situation,  hastened 
to  her  father's  sick  bed,  and  in  unremitting  attention 
nursed  and  supported  him,  night  and  day,  until  she 
closed  his  eyes.  And  this,  for  long,  without  the  cheering 
hope  of  his  soul's  conversion,  and  without  the  grateful 
accents  of  parental  love.  But  at  length  the  watchful  ea- 
gerness for  her  presence,  the  ready  reception  of  medi- 
cines from  her  hand,  the  tender  tokens  of  love  by  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  233 

pressure  of  her  hand  between  his,  indicated  that  he  felt 
her  dutiful  services,  and  acknowledged  them.  She  com- 
forted her  'soul  by  hoping  that  he  acknowledged,  as  the 
spring  of  all  mercies,  and  sought  a  refuge  in,  Jesus,  the 
Saviour  of  sinners!" 

The  lady  paused  a  few  minutes,  and  then  proceeded : 
"  I  have  watched  this  dear  young  woman  with  a  solici- 
tude and  admiration  not  easy  to  describe,  and  beheld 
how  the  Lord  glorified  his  grace  by  this  instance  of  filial 
piety,  through  the  power  of  that  Spirit  he  in  such  a 
measure  granted  her.  The  whole  of  her  conduct  was 
founded  on  her  love  to  the  Lord,  and  a  sense  of  the  duty 
it  became  her,  as  a  child,  to  endeavour,  for  His  sake,  to 
fulfil  to  her  father ;  and  earnest  have  been  the  meltings 
of  her  soul  for  sufficient  portions  of  His  grace  to  carry 
her  on  from  day  to  day  with  strength  according  to  her 
need ;  and  the  Lord  himself  was  sufficient  for  her." 

"  Oh !  how  beautiful !"  exclaimed  Louisa. 

The  lady,  seeing  the  young  people  much  interested, 
and  appearing  to  understand  my  intention  to  be  chiefly 
their  benefit,  seemed  willing  to  gratify  us  with  another 
anecdote ;  and  as  our  silence  denoted  our  readiness  to 
hear,  and  the  fixed  gaze  of  the  young  ones  marked  a 
great  degree  of  expectation,  she  again  addressed  them 
with  a  countenance  of  peculiar  sweetness. 

"  There  is  a  little  girl  who  has  imbibed  much  of  the 
spirit  of  Jesus,  and  has  a  constant  thirst  for  religious  in- 
struction; she  is  of  a  rather  peculiar  turn  of  mind,  and 
seems  most  to  delight  in  being  taught  the  practical  evi- 
dences she  can  give  of  her  love  to  the  Lord.  Her  pa- 
rents were  kind  and  quiet  people,  but  without  the  know- 
ledge of  God  ;  they  never  attended  any  place  of  wor- 
ship, never  read  the  Bible,  never  spake  of  God,  and  per- 
20* 


234  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

haps  never  prayed  to  him.  The  child,  of  course,  was 
in  entire  ignorance  of  the  simplest  precepts  of  religion  ; 
but  the  Lord  opened  her  young  heart  to  receive  the 
Word.  Whatever  she  learnt  she  seemed  to  try  to  prac- 
tise, and  her  first  attentions  were  directed  to  her  parents. 
She  used  to  take  a  little  stool  at  night,  when  they  were 
finishing  their  labours  of  the  day,  and,  seated  beside 
them,  endeavoured  to  relate  all  she  had  learnt  at  school, 
and  she  generally  concluded  by  saying,  '  Father,  you 
ought  to  do  so,'  or,  '  /  will  try  to  do  so.'  As  she  grew 
older,  and  began  to  discriminate  more  the  faults  of  her 
parents,  her  lesson  used  to  end  in,  '  Father,  you  ought 
not  to  do  so.'  Then  she  began  to  read  well  enough  to 
take  the  Bible  and  read  a  chapter,  and  then  say, '  Father, 
how  Jesus  loved  poor  sinners.'  She  then,  when  learn- 
ing her  proof  texts  ready  to  repeat  them,  used  to  say, 
'Now  hear,  father,  if  I  can  say  them ;'  and  when  she 
had  said  them,  '  Now,  father,  you  can  say  them,'  and 
induced  him  to  repeat  them.  She  soon  learnt  to  sing 
hymns,  and  her  father,  having  a  natural  turn  for  music, 
was  much  delighted  ;  he  could  play  on  the  flute  a  little, 
and  he  used  sometimes  to  play  light  airs  and  song  tunes, 
and  she  used  to  tempt  him  to  change  them  for  hymn 
tunes,  and  say  she  would  sing  with  him  if  he  would  join 
in  the  praises  of  God.  All  this  time,  she  was  not  only 
teaching,  but  endeavouring  to  practise  ;  and  this  little 
girl,  from  five  to  eight  years  old,  so  diligently  pursued 
this  course  with  her  parents,  that  she  seemed  to  make 
them  her  children,  and  to  train  them  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord.  The  consequence  is,  the 
blessing  of  God  upon  the  family,  and  the  parents  and 
child  walking  one  way ;  they  acknowledging,  with  grate- 
ful hearts,  the  blessing  of  such  a  child,  and  the  child 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  235 

looking  unto  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher  of  our 
faith." 

The  lady  again  paused,  and  finding  we  were  not  will- 
ing to  interrupt  her,  continued: — "I  find,  almost  inva- 
riably, when  the  children  are  simple  and  open  in  telling 
their  parents  what  is  proceeding  in  their  own  souls,  and 
accompanying  that  confession  with  dutiful  attention 
and  an  obedient  spirit,  that  they  win  upon  their  parents 
at  least  to  admire  and  approve  them,  and  sometimes  to 
follow  them ;  though  there  are  other  instances  where  no- 
thing can  reconcile  the  parent  to  take  any  interest  in 
their  example.  I  have  seen  other  children,  who  have 
been  undutiful,  headstrong,  rebellious,  so  as  to  be  the 
misery  of  their  parents,  become  quite  altered  under  the 
power  of  religion,  and  be  the  joy  and  comfort  of  home ; 
and  have  had  fathers  and  mothers  come  to  tell  me,  with 
tears  of  thankfulness,  the  blessing  which  they  experience 
in  their  children's  change  of  conduct." 

Au.  You,  doubtless,  sometimes  meet  with  ingratitude, 
both  from  children  and  parents  ? 

Lady.  O  yes,  that  is  to  be  expected ;  but  I  take 
comfort  in  reflecting,  that  at  least  they  have  been  taught, 
and  the  seed  sown  may  be  seen  to  spring  up  hereafter. 
Only  this  day,  I  was  told  by  the  mother  of  one  child 
who  had  been  five  years  under  the  instruction  of  the 
school,  that  she  owed  me  nothing ;  that  I  never  gave 
her  anything;  and  that  the  child  had  never  got  any- 
thing by  me  yet.  Poor  people !  I  cannot  help  pitying 
their  state,  so  blind  to  the  great  gain  of  early  religious 
instruction  !  Sometimes  I  have  seen  these  very  children 
brought  to  a  death-bed,  when  all  the  instructions  have 
come  back  to  their  souls  with  power,  and  taught  them 
to  whom  to  go.   So  it  is  God  himself  that  giveth  the  in- 


236  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

crease !  But  such  parents  are  a  melancholy  hindrance 
to  their  children,  when,  instead  of  seconding  their  in- 
struction, they  throw  an  unholy  slight  upon  them;  so 
that  they  fail  to  make  application  of  the  word  of  God, 
and  desire  not  to  do  the  will  of  God. 

The  writing  lessons  of  the  school-children  seemed 
now  over,  and  the  movement  made  by  them  reminded 
us  we  should  perhaps  intrude  by  staying  longer.  We 
therefore  rose  to  go ;  and  with  sincere  thanks  for  the 
kindness  shown,  ventured  to  ask  if  we  might  occasion- 
ally renew  our  visit.  Permission  was  given  and  we  ra- 
ther unwillingly  took  our  leave. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Final  visit. — Consistency  in  parents. —  Truth  in  a 
family. — Power  of  example. — Parable  of  the  two 
sons. — Christ  the  perfect  example  of  a  child. — 
Conclusion. 

As  I  was  informed  that  many  of  my  new  friends  were 
about  to  leave  our  neighbourhood,  the  term  of  their  visit 
being  nearly  concluded,  I  was  desirous  to  render  our 
next  meeting  as  generally  useful  as  I  could  ;  hoping  to 
fix  some  principles  in  their  minds  which  might  serve  as 
directing  beacons  for  their  way.  They  manifested  their 
own  desire  by  assembling  sooner  than  usual,  and  I  was 
happy  to  see  Anna's  father  making  one  of  the  party. 

He  came  up  to  me  with  a  friendly  air,  and  said,  "Mrs. 
Aston  is  so  anxious  to  adopt  your  system  of  training  up 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  237 

our  child,  that  she  absolutely  refuses  to  set  me  at  liberty 
this  evening;  and  as  I  find  the  subject  of  divisions  in  a 
family  of  such  serious  importance,  I  have  felt  it  my  duty 
to  accompany  her." 

There  was  evidently  a  little  feeling  of  pride,  which 
induced  him  to  assign  a  reason  why  he  had  again  at- 
tended ;  but  knowing  the  human  heart,  and  its  natural 
difficulties  in  overcoming  those  feelings,  I  did  not  appear 
to  notice  it,  only  saying  "  that  I  hoped  they  would  al- 
ways endeavour  to  be  of  one  mind  in  every  object  which 
related  to  our  duty  to  God." 

Mrs.  Graham  said,  "  I  am  sorry  we  are  obliged  to  re- 
turn home  so  soon ;  gladly  would  I  have  prolonged  my 
visit,  but  the  attentions  required  by  the  other  branches 
of  my  family  compel  me  to  go.  I  hope,  however,  to 
take  back  with  me  much  that  I  may  find  useful,  and  shall 
endeavour  to  retain  and  profit  by  the  recollection  of  what 
1  have  been  permitted  to  hear.  I  am  anxious  for  every 
minute  direction,  and  would  entreat  you  not  to  spare." 

Au.  I  would,  then,  beg  to  point  out  a  very  essential 
point ;  if  it  please  God,  that,  by  his  grace,  you  determine 
upon  adopting  a  better  plan,  and  that  a  r-eligious  one, 
for  your  children's  training,  bear  in  mind  that  con- 
sistency should  prevail  thoughout.  There  is  no  other 
way  of  convincing  your  children  that  you  are  governed 
by  principle,  and  unless  they  see  it  the  operating  spring 
of  all  your  duty,  they  will  fail  to  believe  it  a  true  one  j 
and  under  the  idea  that  it  is  adopted  only  as  an  expedi- 
ent method  to  break  them  into  submission,  they  will  be 
tempted  both  to  despise  and  to  revolt  from  it. 

Mrs.  G.  Give  me  an  idea  of  your  full  meaning  by 
some  example. 

Au.    I  will  give  as  an  example,  the  necessity  of  ar- 


238  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

ranging  and  ordering  your  whole  household  according 
to  the  system,  so  that  you  shall  give  proof  that  your  in- 
tention is,  as  far  as  your  influence  may  extend,  that  you 
and  your  house  shall  serve  the  Lord.  For  this  reason, 
be  careful  what  acquaintance  you  cultivate ;  what  con- 
versations prevail  in  your  association  ;  and  what  ser- 
vants you  select.  It  is  an  oversight.which  appears  to 
me  next  to  madness  in  some  persons,  that  they  pay  no 
regard  to  the  character  of  a  servant,  as  respects  their  re- 
ligious conduct.  If  they  obtain  a  general  testimony  for 
honesty,  cleanliness,  and  ability  for  their  worldly  call- 
ing, it  seems  all  they  require ;  and  whilst  they  would 
reject  a  servant  for  a  defect  in  business,  they  never  re- 
gard the  greater  defects  which  are  too  common  in  their 
principle  of  heart.  If  a  servant  is  careless,  breaks  the 
furniture,  spoils  the  paint,  and  paper,  and  carpets ;  if 
they  fail  to  wait  well,  or  to  pay  the  outward  respect  de- 
manded, they  are  instantly  rebuked  or  dismissed:  but 
if  they  fail  to  respect  the  souls  of  your  children,  or  if 
they  contaminate  their  minds  with  evil  thoughts  and 
words;  if  they  break  your  rules,  and  spoil  the  obedience 
of  your  children — these  are  faults  not  noticed,  not  in- 
quired into,  not  expected  to  produce  any  evil;  and  many 
a  child  is  taught,  in  the  nursery,  to  throw  away  the  in- 
struction of  its  parents,  and  defilements  are  added  to  their 
natural  sinfulness  by  the  evil  communications  which  come 
out  of  the  mouths  of  servants.  Now  I  would  subvert 
this  system.  I  would,  if  you  cannot  get  servants  fully 
capable  of  all  the  minutiae  and  niceties  of  their  appoint- 
ment, at  least  determine  to  have  none  but  those  who 
would  be  under  the  governing  principle  of  religious 
conduct  and  obedience ;  for  a  want  of  this,  I  would  dis- 
miss them  most  certainly ;  and  if  they  tampered  with 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  239 

the  principles  of  my  children,  or  wilfully  suggested  any 
evil  to  their  mind,  instantly  discard  them  as  treacherous 
to  me  and  my  children,  and  dishonest  in  the  sight  of 
God.  To  bear  and  forbear,  to  be  gentle  and  kind  to 
them  in  all  things  respecting  their  worldly  employ- 
ments ;  but  not  to  suffer  a  moment's  negligence  in  the 
duty  which  the  moral  and  spiritual  interests  of  your 
children  requires  should  be  minutely  attended  to. 

Mrs.  G.  According  to  this  plan,  I  fear  I  shall  have  a 
change  to  make  throughout. 

Au.  I  suppose  so ;  not  having  reflected  upon  it  as 
essential,  of  course,  your  household  is  made  up  of  those 
who  are  at  least  indifferent  to  this  subject. — Another 
thing  I  would  beg  to  point  out,  which  is,  the  absolute 
consistency  of  truth  in  your  house.  When  the  manners 
of  the  world  prevail,  and  the  pleasures  of  it  are  sought, 
there  are  innumerable  temptations  to  the  breach  of  truth, 
not  only  in  imposing  upon  servants  the  hateful  obliga- 
tion to  tell  palpable  untruths  for  your  convenience,  un- 
der the  guise  of  false  excuses,  but  in  the  many  false- 
hoods uttered  with  your  own  lips,  in  the  prevarications, 
and  flatteries,  and  innumerable  offences  of  the  lip  in  con- 
versation, and  of  the  pen  in  correspondence.  In  my 
youth  I  was  intimate  with  a  family  where  I  was  a  fre- 
quent visiter,  and  have  often  been  sitting  with  the  young 
people,  my  companions,  when  company  has  been  seen 
coming.  If  it  was  at  the  moment  inconvenient,  or  the 
persons  not  agreeable,  immediately  the  lady  of  the  house 
began  to  express  her  dislike  of  the  intrusion ;  but  no 
sooner  did  they  enter  than  she  found  out  innumerable 
expressions  of  pleasure  and  gladness  to  receive  them. 
Sometimes  my  companions  had  been  faulty  in  their  les- 
sons, or  had  committed  some  offence  which  had  pro- 


240  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

voked  great  anger,  and,  perhaps,  it  was  shown  by  the 
mother's  total  silence  towards  them,  or  by  incessant  re- 
proof; but  when  company  arrived,  their  works,  draw- 
ings, &c,  and  often  those  very  productions  which  had 
given  occasion  for  the  displeasure,  were  all  exhibited, 
tokens  of  approbation  given,  and  all  the  flattering  ex- 
pressions of  the  visiters  received ;  and  then  when  they 
were  withdrawn,  all  the  reserve  of  disapprobation  was 
resumed.  What  can  children  think  on  these  occasions  ? 
Either  that  there  is  no  principle  of  action  ;  or  that  there 
is  no  sincerity  in  the  profession  of  it.  They  of  course 
imbibe  the  same  uninfluential  pretence,  and  find  it  diffi- 
cult to  honour  those  who  expose  so  much  deliberate  sin. 

Mrs.  G.  I  fear  these  are  prevalent  offences  in  the 
world. 

Au.  Yes;  and  it  is  written,  "Wo  unto  him  by  whom 
the  offence  cometh  !  It  were  better  for  him  that  a  mill- 
stone were  hanged  about  his  neck,  and  he  were  cast  into 
the  sea,  than  that  he  should  offend  one  of  these  little 
ones."  Luke  xvii.  2.  Be  select  in  the  associates  of  your 
children,  choosing  the  intimacy  of  such  young  people 
as  are  trained  in  the  same  way ;  and  if  these  are  not  with- 
in your  range,  teach  them  to  be  content  and  happy 
without  any.  Another  prevalent  inconsistency  I  must 
name  :  which  is,  the  uncertainty  which  children,  in 
some  cases,  must  have,  of  what  god  their  parents  desire 
them  to  serve. 

Mrs.  G.    What  god,  did  you  say? 

Au.  Yes ;  in  some  cases  the  mind  of  the  children  is 
directed  to  Pleasure ;  in  others,  to  Ambition ;  in  others, 
to  the  World  in  general ;  in  others,  to  their  Appetites  and 
Passions.  This  is  marked  by  these  several  things  being 
held  out  as  the  objects  for  which  they  are  to  strive,  or 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  241 

which  they  are  to  serve.  A  fit  preparation  for  an  infidel 
state,  or  for  an  ungodly  life.  Of  such,  the  Apostle  says, 
"  Whose  god  is  their  belly — who  mind  earthly  things." 

Children  are  watchful,  inquisitive,  discriminating,  and 
imitative  :  therefore,  there  is  another  point  to  name, 
which  is,  the  power  of  example.  Let  them  see  in 
you  what  you  desire  them  to  become.  Break  down 
the  evil  inclinations  and  habits  flowing  out  of  a  love 
of  self—  follow  after  holiness — lean  on  the  Lord,  and 
devote  yourselves  to  him ;  showing  yourselves  in  earnest 
by  the  diligence  with  which  you  seek  the  Holy  Spirit 
for  your  guide  and  helper. 

We  now  joined  our  young  people,  and  were  pleased 
to  see  that  our  old  friend  had  again  been  able,  under  the 
care  of  his  little  grand-daughter,  to  make  one  of  the 
party.  It  was  a  pretty  sight;  they  had  all  surrounded 
hiin,  and  were  listening  with  eager  pleasure  to  the  in- 
structions of  age.  I  made  signs  to  them  to  keep  their 
places,  and  continue  their  attentions  to  the  old  man,  a 
permission  they  appeared  gladly  to  accept. 

"  Charles."  said  Mary,  "do  ask  little  Jane  to  repeat  it ; 
I  should  like  to  hear  her." 

Charles  immediately  said,  "  Jane,  I  think  it  is  your 
turn  to  repeat  the  Scripture,  and  we  wish  you  would." 

Jane  looked  a  little  diffident,  and,  turning  to  her 
grandfather,  seemed  to  appeal  to  him  to  excuse  her; 
but  he  said — 

"  My  child,  fear  not  to  repeat  God's  word,  but  give  it 
out  with  reverence." 

Her  young  voice  trembled  when  she  began,  but  she 
soon  forgot  her  fear  in  the  repetition  of  the  portions 
which  had  been  selected. 

Jane.  Matt.  xxi.  28.  "  A  certain  man  had  two  sons, 
21 


242  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

and  he  came  to  the  first,  and  said,  Son,  go  work  to-day  jn 
my  vineyard.  He  answered,  and  said,  I  will  not :  but 
afterwards  he  repented,  and  went.  And  he  came  to  the 
second,  and  said  likewise.  And  he  answered  and  said, 
I  go,  Sir ;  and  went  not.  Whether  of  them  twain  did 
the  will  of  his  father?  They  say  unto  him,  The  first." 

"  Sir,"  said  old  Thomas,  looking  over  the  heads  of  the 
children,  "we  were  thinking  that  this  portion  of  Scrip- 
ture seemed  very  suitable  to  apply  to  this  party  of  young 
sons  and  daughters,  before  they  break  up  this  pleasant 
engagement,  to  return  to  their  own  homes." 

Thomas'  appeal  signified  that  he  wished  to  throw  the 
conversation  upon  me;  the  young  people,  with  delicate 
discernment,  saw  it,  and  immediately  opened  out  the 
circle  with  which  they  had  surrounded  him,  and  all  took 
their  several  seats. 

Au.  It  is  true,  Thomas;  and  I  trust,  by  the  blessing 
of  God,  it  may  prove  a  word  in  season.  Let  us  first 
consider  the  commandment,  given  by  one  who  is  meant, 
in  the  parable,  to  represent  the  Lord.  The  command 
was,  to  work  in  his  vineyard;  signifying  not  only  the 
employment,  but  also  the  place  of  employment ;  and  we 
must  bear  in  mind  that  this  is  always  the  Lord's  me- 
thod. We  are  to  work,  and  that  in  his  service.  He  did 
not  say,  "  Go  to  a  vineyard  ;"  but,  "  Go  to  my  vineyard." 
He  did  not  appoint  the  place  without  appointing  the 
duty — "  Go  work  in  my  vineyard."  He  did  not  leave  it 
to  their  option  to  delay,  but  said,  Go  to-day,  "  Go  work 
to-day  in  my  vineyard."  This  command  was  given  to 
sons,  and  shows  us  that  the  children  of  God  are  to  be 
diligently  occupied  in  the  service  of  their  Father  in  his 
possession  or  heritage.  Now,  my  dear  young  people, 
if  you  are  sons  of  God,  you  are  appointed  by  him  to 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  243 

your  several  occupations :  you  are  to  work,  and  that 
work  will  be  directed  according  to  what  you  are  able  ; 
and  a  ready  obedience  is  your  duty.  But  you  see  the 
faults  of  these  two  sons ;  one  answered,  "  I  will  not ;" 
and  the  other  answered,  u  I  go,  Sir."  Attend  to  this, 
and  say  what  is  the  feeling  in  your  hearts  who  have 
now  heard  the  word  of  God.  and  his  direct  command, 
"  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother."  This  is  your 
present  duty  in  which  you  are  to  be  engaged.  Whose 
heart  rebels  against  this  command  1  Who,  in  the  secret 
of  his  mind,  is  saying,  with  disobedient  self-will,  "  I  will 
not  V  You  may  think  the  inquiry  too  close ;  but  know- 
ing the  sinfulness  of  the  heart,  I  know  it  is  not  without 
its  application,  and  notwithstanding  the  strong  and  un- 
deniable evidence  of  the  duty,  from  the  command  of 
God,  you  may  be  setting  your  hearts  against  it,  and  say- 
ing, "  I  will  not."  Remember,  this  is  a  very  sinful  state. 
It  is  rebellion  against  God,  and  an  obstinate  choice  of 
remaining  without  the  evidence  of  being  his  faithful  and 
dutiful  children.  It  appears  that  the  nature  of  the  sin 
was  felt  by  the  son,  and  that  upon  reflection  and  con- 
viction, he  saw  and  acknowledged  his  sin ;  for  it  is  said, 
"  afterwards  he  repented  and  went."  His  determina- 
tion of  mind  was  now  not  one  of  self-will,  or  of  a  mere 
act  of  reasoning  that  it  would  be  better  to  obey  upon 
selfish  grounds — but  arose  from  a  grace  of  repentance. 
Sorrow  for  his  offence  against  his  father  produced  the 
full  evidence  of  his  gracious  'change,  by  his  act  of  obe- 
dience: he  "  repented  and  went."  Let  this  example 
sink  into  your  hearts,  as  an  instruction  to  overcome  the 
self-will  and  disobedience  natural  to  a  sinful  creature, 
and  to  seek  that  grace  and  strength  from  the  Lord,  who 
commands  to  make  you  willing  to  obey;  then  there  will 


244  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

not  be  that  strife  of  resistance,  but  a  humble,  dutiful  de- 
pendence on  the  Lord,  and  towards  those  whom  he  has 
in  mercy  invested  with  authority  over  you,  and  with  a 
right  to  be  honoured,  loved,  and  succoured  by  you,  their 
own  children,  in  the  Lord. 

Look  next  to  the  other  son,  who,  with  ready  tongue, 
said,  "  I  go,  Sir,"  but  with  reluctant  heart  failed  to  fulfil 
his  duty,  and  "  went  not."  He  despised  the  command 
in  his  heart,  and  broke  the  engagement  of  his  tongue. 
If,  among  you,  my  dear  children,  there  are  those  who 
rise  in  instant  stubborn  rebellion,  there  are  also,  perhaps, 
those  who  with  deceived  heart  and  flattering  profession, 
say  they  will  obey,  and  yet,  when  obedience  is  to  be 
given,  will  not  render  it.  Examine  your  own  hearts, 
and  see  where  the  fault  lies — in  a  wicked  and  sinful  na- 
ture, desiring  to  make  a  "  fair  show,"  but  without  any 
intention  or  determination  to  give  the  true  evidence. 
Perhaps  at  this  moment  you  are  making  comparisons 
amongst  yourselves,  and,  in  self-estimation,  saying,  "  I 
am  not  as  this  my  companion,  who  says,  '  I  will  not  f  " 
never  considering  that  you  have  still  to  give  the  proof 
of  your  sincerity,  by  your  actions ;  and  that  after  all, 
however  sinful  the  first  act  of  rebellion  may  be,  they 
may  at  last  evince  their  obedience  better  than  you  : 
"  Whether  of  them  twain,"  saith  the  Lord,  "  did  the  will 
of  his  Father?"  The  answer  is,  "  The  first."  Now  give 
me  a  text,  Louisa,  to  strengthen  this  lesson. 

Louisa.  "  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord, 
Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  but  he 
that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven." 
Matt.  vii.  21. 

An.  How  shall  we  receive  strength  and  grace  to 
doit? 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  245 

Louisa.  "  By  looking  unto  the  Lord,  who  worketh 
in  us  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure."  Phil. 
ii.  13. 

Au.  And,  dear  children,  when  you  are  overcome  of 
sin,  remember  to  seek  the  grace  of  repentance,  that  not 
only  your  minds  may  be  convinced,  but  your  hearts 
sorrowful  with  a  godly  sorrow.  Remember  the  Prodi- 
gal Son,  in  Luke  xv.  11.  whose  mind  was  convinced 
of  his  sin  and  folly  by  the  things  which  he  suffered,  be- 
ing so  reduced  as  to  feed  on  the  husks  which  the  swine 
did  eat.  He  felt  keenly,  with  all  the  natural  feeling  of 
distress ;  he  reflected,  too,  on  what  he  had  lost :  his 
thoughts  reverted,  with  bitter  comparisons  of  that  with 
his  present  state  : — "  In  my  father's  house  there  is  bread 
enough  and  to  spare!"  But  what  would  all  this  distress, 
and  misery,  and  reflection,  and  comparison  have  done, 
if  it  had  ended  there  ?  and  he  had  even  died  saying, 
"In  my  father's  house  there  is  bread  enough  and  to 
spare  !"  The  proof  of  grace  was  seen  in  his  determina- 
tion to  "  arise  and  go"  unto  his  father,  to  confess  his 
sin,  and  to  desire  to  be  received,  even  as  a  hired  servant 
"  He  arose  and  went."  And  his  father  saw  him  ;  and, 
when  he  was  yet  a  great  way  off,  ran  to  meet  him,  and 
fell  on  his  neck,  and  kissed  him,  and  took  him  home, 
and  rejoiced  over  him !  From  this  history,  learn  how  to 
act  towards  your  earthly  father.  Be  always  confident  in 
the  unchangeable  love  of  a  father,  and  seek  it  in  repent- 
ance and  submission,  as  the  way  in  which  you  may  find 
your  restoration  to  the  bosom  of  a  father :  and  as  re- 
spects God,  remember  what  is  written  in  1  John  ii.  1,2,' 
"  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father, 
Jesus  Christ  the  righteous;  and  he  is  the  propitiation 
for  our  sins."  .        *   ■ 

21* 


246  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

Beware,  dear  children,  of  a  spirit  of  hypocrisy ;  be 
open,  be  honest,  be  ingenuous  in  your  behaviour  to  your 
parents,  that  they  may  know  what  you  really  are,  and 
be  able  to  apply  their  instruction  suitably  to  your  several 
states  and  dispositions.  When  you  are  sensible  of  sin, 
confess  your  sin,  and  seek  the  aid  of  your  dearest  friends 
to  direct  you  aright ;  and  when  they  see  it  necessary 
to  correct  you,  do  not  rebel.  "  He  that  hardeneth  his 
neck  shall  suddenly  be  destroyed,  and  that  without  re- 
medy."    Prov.  xxix.  1. 

You  have  read  the  awful  end  of  the  two  sons  of  Eli, 
Hophni  and  Phineas,  how  the  judgments  of  God  were 
upon  them,  and  how  their  being  cut  off  in  their  sins  af- 
fected their  aged  father,  and  occasioned  his  death :  and 
the  Lord  charged  Eli  himself  with  guilt,  because,  when 
he  knew  their  sins,  he  restrained  them  not.  You  see, 
therefore,  that  your  parents'  exercise  of  restraining  au- 
thority, however  your  mind  may  dislike  to  yield  to  it,  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  remove  the  guilt  of  your  blood 
from  their  heads,  and  to  save  you,  if  possible,  from  the 
wrath  and  judgments  of  God.  When  they  thus  show 
their  solicitude  for  the  welfare  of  your  souls,  you  ought 
to  be  grateful  with  the  fullest  feeling  of  love.  Did  you 
ever  remark  in  the  Gospel,  the  eager  desires  of  parents 
for  their  children  ? 

Louisa.  Yes,  often,  for  all  diseases  of  the  body,  un- 
cle ;  but  how  few  seemed  to  think  of  their  souls  ! 

Au.    Tell  me,  Louisa,  how  you  discriminate. 

She  answered,  "  I  think  it  is  evident  by  their  bringing 
them  to  be  cured  of  fevers,  of  lunacy,  of  devils,  of  sick- 
nesses— but  they  never  said,  'Lord,  heal  their  souls V 
'  Lord,  forgive  their  sins !' " 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  247 

Au.  You  said ,  few  seemed  to  think  of  their  souls ; 
Who  are  the  few  ? 

Louisa  coloured  a  little,  arid  said,  "  Perhaps,  dear  un- 
cle, I  am  mistaken,  but  I  always  liked  to  think  thus  of  I 
those  who  brought  young  children  to  Jesus,  that  he 
might  touch  them  :  they  seemed  only  to  want  his  bless- 
ing— it  was  for  no  bodily  disease.  And  then  how  gra- 
ciously he  took  them,  as  if  he  were  pleased  with  the  act ; 
( He  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  and  put  his  hands  on 
them,  and  blessed  them.'  Mark  x.  16.  Oh !  uncle,  I  of- 
ten think  my  own  dear  father  and  mother  did  that  for 
us,  when  we  were  young  children,  and  that  the  Lord 
did  do  as  they  desired :  He  blessed  us." 

Au.  What  makes  you  think  He  did  bless .  you, 
Louisa  ? 

Louisa.  Because  He  has  given  us  so  many  "  spiritual 
blessings,"  as  the  Apostle  says,  "  in  heavenly  places." 
"  He  has  cast  our  lot  in  a  pleasant  place ;"  where,  though 
it  be  still  in  the  wilderness,  there  is  the  heavenly  manna 
•.round  about  our  tent,  and  springs  of  living  water ! 

Charles  looked  at  his  sister  as  she  spoke,  and  his  heart 
-seemed  to  swell  with  the  same  grateful  feeling  of  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God  j  but 
he  did  not  speak  a  word. 

This  animated  burst  of  filial  tribute,  from  the  lips  of 
Louisa,  affected  all  that  were  present,  and  the  parents, 
especially,  involuntarily  turned  their  eyes  towards  Lou- 
isa's mother. 

My  sister's  feelings  were  naturally  of  quick  sensibili- 
ty, but  she  had  been  so  much  in  the  practice  of  bringing 
them  into  subjection  to  the  Lord,  that  though  her  coun- 
tenance showed  the  inward  emotion  of  her  heart,  she  was 
able  to  preserve  a  calm  and  quiet  manner,  saying—- 


248  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

"  What  can  be  so  grateful  to  a  mother's  heart,  as  to 
see  the  Lord  graciously  answering  her  desires,  and 
awakening  her  children  to  a  sense  of  spiritual  blessings  ! 
What  a  safeguard  from  the  temptations  of  the  world 
and  of  sin,  that  they  should  find  the  Lord  their  portion, 
and  their  exceeding  great  reward  !" 

"  Pray,  Sir,"  said  old  Thomas,  "  may  we  look  once 
more  to  the  Scriptures,  and  take  out  the  perfect  example 
of  a  Son,  in  Jesus,  our  Lord,  the  Son  of  the  Father." 
Au.  That  is  just  what  I  wished,  Thomas. 
The  Lord  Jesus,  in  his  humiliation,  becoming  son 
of  man,  exhibited,  in  that  character,  perfect  obedience 
to  father  and  mother,  which  is  fully  implied  by  that  ex- 
pression, he  "  was  subject  unto  them ;"  and  so  in  all  the 
full  developement  we  see  him  also  as  the  Son  of  God. 
His  delight  being  to  do  the  will  of  the  Father,  Ps.  xl.  8. 
the  will  of  Him  that  sent  him  !  Constantly  referring 
all  to  the  will  of  the  Father :  "  This  is  the  will  of  Him 
that  sent  me  ! "  And  though  his  undertaking  our  redemp- 
tion was  his  own  will  also,  he  delighted  most  to  call  it 
the  will  of  the  Father.  "  I  came  clown  from  heaven, 
not  to  do  mine  own  will,  but  the  will  of  Him  that  sent 
me."  Johnvl  38.;  and  so  "though  he  were  a  Son,  yet 
learned  he  obedience  by  the  things  which  he  suffered," 
Heb.  v.  8.,  and  was  obedient  even  unto  death.  In  this 
we  see  how  he  was  typified  by  Isaac,  when  Abraham 
would  have  offered  him  up,  only  He,  far  beyond  the 
type,  not  only  intended,  but  did  fulfil  to  the  full,  in  the 
infinite  perfection  of  all  obedience.  "  He  was  obedient 
unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross  /"  Phil.  ii.  8. 

Remember,  dear  children,  this  infinitely  holy  charac- 
ter of  obedience  in  Christ,  and  that  what  he  did  for 
our  salvation,  was  done  by  him,  as  in  obedience  to  the 


THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE.  249 

Father.  The  honour  and  glory  of  the  Father  were 
made  his  great  object,  that  in  redeeming  sinners,  he 
might  satisfy  all  His  demands,  and  manifest  the  un- 
changeable perfection  of  all  the  truth  and  attributes  of 
God  the  Father.  And  so  he  said,  "  Father,  I  have  finish- 
ed the  work  thou  gavest  me  to  do :"  "  I  have  glorified 
thee  on  the  earth."  John  xvii.  4.  "  That  the  world  may 
know  that  I  love  the  Father ;  and  as  the  Father  gave  me 
commandment,  even  so  I  do?1    John  xiv.  31. 

Remember,  moreover,  dear  children,  that  it  is  through 
that  finished  work  of  our  redemption  from  sin  and  death, 
that  we  are  brought  into  the  privilege  of  entering  into 
the  paths  of  holiness  and  peace :  That  through  that 
finished  work  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the  Father  are 
propitiated  :  and  we  receive  the  sanctifying  of  the  Holy 
Sririt,  through  the  reconciled  love  of  the  Father,  as 
well  as  the  cleansing  and  atoning  blood  of  Jesus.  Thus 
the  provision  for  our  obedience  is  made.  Let  us  ask, 
as  we  are  permitted,  the  Holy  Spirit  for  our  guide  and 
support;  for  our  heavenly  Father  will  give  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him ! 

We  are  now  about  to  separate : — May  this  little  privi- 
lege we  have  enjoyed  be  amongst  those  things  which 
shall  be  recorded  on  high,  as  done  in  the  Lord  !  If  it 
has  been  given  and  received  in  his  name,  it  will  not  be 
in  vain.  May  such  a  blessing  come  down  on  you  from 
the  Lord  of  love,  as  to  raise  your  hearts  to  him,  and  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  given  you,  make  you  seek  that  con- 
formity to  the  image  of  Christ,  which  shall  lead  you  to 
desire  to  do  the  will  of  your  heavenly  Father,  and  to 
glorify  him  on  earth,  according  to  the  measure  of  your 
grace,  by  delighting  in  his  Commandments ;  for  by  this 
shall  all  men  know  that  you  love  the  Lord,  when  you 


250  THE  COMMANDMENT  WITH  PROMISE. 

keep  his  Commandments,  pressing  after  the  attainment 
of  the  Promise. 


I  There  were  now  many  tokens  of  regret,  that  onr  little 
meeting  was  at  an  end  ;  but  being  urged  by  my  friends 
to  think  of  them  often,  and  to  become  the  steady  spirit- 
ual superintendent  of  their  families,  I  was  glad  to  have 
the  prospect  of  continued  usefulness  amongst  them,  and 
the  permission  to  watch  over  the  young  disciples  with 
constant  attention.  This  prospect  seemed  also  cheer- 
ing to  them,  and  we  parted,  commending  ourselves  in 
all  our  various  interests  to  the  Great  Shepherd  of  the 
sheep. 

Not  one  left  me  without  taking  my  hand,  and  the  af- 
fectionate pressure  which  they  gave,  spake  many  things; 
the  expression  was  different  according  to  the  different 
characters,  and  I  thought  I  could  discern  some  tokens 
which  were  indicative  of  the  purposes  of  the  heart,  that 
they  would  honour  their  father  and  their  mother,  that 
their  days  might  be  long  in  the  earth  ;  and  that  all  the 
promises  might  be  sought,  that  they  should  do  that 
which  is  well  pleasing  unto  the  Lord,  and  right,  and 
that  it  might  go  well  with  them. 


THE    END. 


C    251    ) 
IIDEX. 


This  most  instructive  and  useful  practical  work  will  be  found, 
by  parents,  among  the  most  useful,  if  not  the  most  useful,  illustra- 
tion of  the  duties  imposed  by  the  Fifth  Commandment,  in  our 
language.  And  in  order  that  the  portions  adapted  to  particular 
cases  may  be  turned  to  readily,  as  there  may  be  occasion,  an  Index 
to  each  chapter  has  been  added  to  the  American  edition,  and  is 
here  summed  up. 

Page. 

I.  CHAP. — Incidents  at  a  youthful  party. — Ready  obedience 

the  true  mark  of  love  to  parents,  and  the  safest  way  of 
showing  them  our  love,  5 

II.  CHAP. — Constant  obedience ;  an  example  of  it. — Differ- 

ent motives  for  obedience,  16 

III.  CHAP. — The  origin  and  causes  of  disobedience  in  chil- 
dren, 26 

IV.  CHAP. — Incidents  at  the  first  evening's  meeting. — Au- 
thor's views  of  the  scope  and  application  of  the  Com- 
mandments ;  and  of  the  duty  of  very  early  attention  to 
forming  religious  character  of  children,  37 

,V.  CHAP. — Author's  conversation  with  his  little  party  about 
obeying  as  a  proof  of  love  to  Jesus; — about  the  Law  and 
the  Gospel ; — and  the  meaning  of  "honouring  our  father 
and  mother,"  49 

VI.  CHAP. — Author's  visit  to  the  cottage  of  little  Jane's  fa- 
ther.— Methods  of  winning  obedience  from  children,  61 

VII.  CHAP.— Cheerful  submission  to  parental  authority. — 
Allowance  to  children. — Corban. — Grateful  and  mea- 
sured love,  honour,  and  support,  to  parents,  74 

VIII.  CHAP.— Second  visit  to  Thomas'  cottage.— The  two 
truants. — Parents  should  mean  what  they  say. — Love  the 
fulfilling  of  the  Law,  85 


252  INDEX. 

Page. 

IX.  CHAP. — The  first  principle  of  Education. — Effects 
of  setting  before  children  wrong  motives  for  obedience.— 
Old  Thomas'  plan  of  Education,  100 

X.  CHAP. — Old  Thomas. — An  instance  of  devoted  filial  pie- 

ty.— Grounds  of  the  duty  of  parents,  118 

XL  CHAP. — Reverence  for  the  aged. — Love  and  Promise. — 
History  of  Old  Thomas. — Inquiries  of  children  on  reli- 
gious subjects  to  be  satisfied,  and  the  habit  cherished,        131 

XII.  CHAP. — Reverence  for  the  Command  of  God  and  the 
love  of  his  Promise,  the  only  security  for  cheerful  and 
uniform  obedience  in  children,  147 

XIII.  CHAP. — How  far  we  may  reason  with  children  in  ask- 
ing their  obedience. — Chastisement  plainly  enjoined  in 
Scripture. — The  curse  against  disobedience,  163 

XIV.  CHAP. — Family  piety. — Fatal  neglect  of  parents  to 
enforce  the  Divine  Commands. — Domestic  divisions 
spring  not  from  religion  but  the  want  of  it,  181 

XV.  CHAP. — United  devotion  in  families. — The  first  family. 

— History  of  Patriarchal  families  considered,  194 

XVI.  CHAP. — Note  to  the  teacher. — Necessary  separation 
,  between  pious  and  irreligious  persons. — Religion  in  busi- 
ness.— Duty  to  parents  and  God. — Visit  to  the  School. — 
Influence  of  religious  education,  217 

XVn.  CHAP. — Final  visit. — Consistency  in  parents. — Truth 
in  a  family. — Power  of  example. — Parable  of  the  two 
sons — Christ  the  perfect  example  of  a  child. — Conclu- 
sion, 236 


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